SABBATH spiooL LESSON
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THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"The be'auty and riches of the word have a transforming influence on mind
and character."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 132.
"There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study
of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give
vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's
word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a
nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times."—
Steps to Christ,
page go.
"The more you search the Scriptures with. humble hearts, the greater will
be your interest. . . . Every day you should learn something new from the
Scriptures."—Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 266.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I
pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab-
bath school lesson each day of the week.
Name
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LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER
i. Righteousness
2.
The Great Need of the Church
3.
God's Eternal Purpose
4.
The Origin and Nature of Sin
5.
Restoring the Union With God
6.
Imputed Righteousness—
Justification by Faith
7.
Sanctification Through Imparted
Righteousness
8.
Righteousness Imparted Through
Communion with Christ
9.
Righteousness Received Through
Faith
Jo. Doing God's Will
Faith Counted for Righteousness
12.
The Three Angels' Messages and
Righteousness by Faith
13.
The Latter Rain and Righteousness
by Faith
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 264, April-J,e, 1961. :20 cents a single copy, 75 cents
a year (four. issues); no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the
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Copyright, 1961, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
REIM, 01,y0E PRQVONSHA, ARTIST (1)
P.P.
P.A.; KEYSTONE
COVER
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IN CHRIST
General Introduction
God has entrusted to the Seventh-day
Adventist Church the responsibility and
privilege of giving the last gospel message
to the world. This solemn work can be car-
ried out successfully only by consecrated in-
struments. That they might be spiritually
prepared to meet their Lord and to finish
His work, the message of righteousness by
faith in Christ has been entrusted to them.
This is not a new message, for it is a part of
the plan of salvation as revealed in the word
of God and has always been a fundamental
belief and teaching of the remnant church,
though at times it may have been obscured
beneath the doctrinal emphasis on the law.
During the General Conference session of
1888, held in Minneapolis, this vital teach-
ing was re-emphasized and clarified. Wrote
Ellen G. White:
"This message was to bring more promi-
nently before the world the uplifted Saviour,
the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.
It presented justification through faith in
the Surety; it invited the people to receive
the righteousness of Christ, which is made
manifest in obedience to all the command-
ments of God. Many had lost sight of Je-
sus. They needed to have their eyes di-
rected to His divine person, His merits, and
His changeless love for the human family.
All power is given into His hands, that He
may dispense rich gifts unto men, impart-
ing the priceless gift of His own righteous-
ness to the helpless human agent. This is
the message that God commanded to be
given to the world. It is the third angel's
message, which is to be proclaimed with a
loud voice, and attended with the outpour-
ing of His Spirit in a large measure."—Testi-
monies to Ministers,
pages 91, 92.
Ellen White wholeheartedly sustained this
righteousness-by-faith emphasis. There were
those, however, who were fearful that the
distinctive doctrinal truths "entrusted to us"
might be neglected, because of this renewal
of emphasis on Christ and Him crucified.
But the exaltation of Christ as the "center
of the message," did not weaken and does
not now weaken any "line of truth that has
made the Seventh-day Adventist people
what they
are."—Testimonies,
vol. 6, p. 17.
This is as true today as it was over seventy
years ago.
"The third angel's message calls for the
preservation of the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment, and this truth must be
brought before the world; but
the great cen-
ter
of attraction, Jesus Christ, must not be
left out of the third angel's message. By
many who have been engaged in the work
for this time, Christ has been made second-
ary, and theories and arguments have had
first place. . . .
"Laborers in the cause of truth should
present the righteousness of Christ, not as
new light, but as precious light that has for
a time been lost sight of by the people. . . .
"What a loss it is to the soul who under-
stands the strong claims of the law, and who
yet fails to understand the grace of Christ
which doth much more abound ! It is true
that the law of God reveals the love of God
when it is preached as the truth in Jesus;
for the gift of Christ to this guilty world
must be largely dwelt upon in every
dis-
course."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, pp. 383,
384. (Italics supplied.)
Since 1888 much has been published and
preached on the subject of righteousness by
faith. The following books from the pen
of Ellen G. White emphasize this great truth:
Gospel Workers
(1892) ;
Steps to Christ
(1892) ;
Christ Our Saviour
(1896) ;
The De-
sire of Ages
(1898) ;
Christ's Object Lessons
(1900) ;
Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-
ing
(1900). Many other books, articles, and
sermons by leaders and ministers have con-
tinued to bring this great truth to the church
and the world.
It is the earnest longing and prayer of the
leaders of the church and the Sabbath School
Department that our believers around the
world, as they study these lessons, will come
to know Christ better, for in Him the right-
eousness of God is embodied, and in Him is
the righteousness of God revealed.
[
3
]
Lesson 1, for April 1, 1961
Righteousness
MEMORY VERSE:
"In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely:
and this is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness."
Jer. 23:6.
STUDY HELPS:
"Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing," pages 18-21 (the Beatitudes,
Matt. 5:6); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture
references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 16.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General Intro-
duction and survey of the
lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-9.
Check Here
Tuesday: Questions 10-13.
Wednesday: Question 14; read from
"Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing."
Thursday: Read other Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Divine Righteousness
1.
God-everlasting Source of right-
eousness. Ps. 119:142.
2.
Observed in God's actions and judg-
ments. Ps. 145:17 ; 9:8.
II. Christ's Righteousness
3.
Exalted because of righteousness.
Heb. 1:8, 9.
4.
Embodied in His names. Mal. 4:2 ;
Jer. 33:15,
16.
III. Man's Righteousness
5.
Compared to filthy rags. Isa. 64:6.
6.
None righteous-all helpless.
Rom. 3 :10 ; Jer. 13:23.
IV. Christ Our Righteousness
7. "The Lord our Righteousness."
Jer. 23:6.
8. Gift through Christ. Rom. 5:17.
9. Made to be righteousness for us.
1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21.
V. The Practice of Righteousness
10. Antidote to sin and pathway to life.
Dan. 4:27; Prov. 12:28; 10:2.
11. Evidence of new birth and stable
character. Rom. 5:21; Ps. 15:1-5.
12. Makes us acceptable to God.
Acts 10:35.
13. Brings peace and assurance.
Isa. 32:17.
VI. Counsel to Seek Righteousness
14. Hunger and thirst for. Matt. 5:6.
THE LESSON
Introduction: The Source and
Definition of Righteousness
In
this first lesson we study briefly the
subject of righteousness in general. We dis-
cover that God is the only source of right-
eousness and that man has no righteousness
of his own. We learn how much depends
upon acquiring God's righteousness. We
understand that righteousness is the op-
posite of sinfulness. We study several defi-
nitions which are vitally necessary to our
understanding of our objectives. Having
studied the counsel given us to seek right-
eousness most earnestly, we find that the
gift of righteousness is received through
Christ, for He is our righteousness.
What is the meaning of the word "right-
eousness"? It would be well to dwell upon
the following definitions until we are able to
see how they are related to one another:
[ 4 ]
(1)
"Righteousness is rightdoing."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 312.
(2)
"Righteousness is holiness, likeness to
God, and 'God is love.' 1 John 4:16. It is
conformity to the law of God, for 'all Thy
commandments are righteousness' (Psalm
119:172), and 'love is the fulfilling of the
law' (Romans 13:10). Righteousness is love,
and love is the light and the life of God. The
righteousness of God is embodied in Christ.
We receive righteousness by receiving Him."
—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page 18.
(3)
"The law requires righteousness,—a
righteous life, a perfect character."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 762.
(4)
"The righteousness of Christ is . . .
a principle of life that transforms the char-
acter and controls the conduct."—Ibid., pp.
555, 556.
(5)
"The righteousness which Christ
taught is conformity of heart and life to the
revealed will of
God."—Ibid.,
p. 310.
Divine Righteousness
1.
What do the Scriptures teach
concerning the character of God? Ps.
119:142.
2.
What are we told about God's
actions and judgments? Ps. 145:17;
9:8.
Christ's Righteousness
3.
What testimony does the Father
bear concerning Jesus? Heb. 1:8, 9.
4.
What beautiful term is found in
names applied to the Lord Jesus in the
Old Testament? Mal. 4:2; Jer.
33:15, 16.
Man's Righteousness
5.
To what is man's righteousness
compared? Isa. 64:6.
ALL TRUTHS CENTER IN THE GLORIOUS THEME OF JESUS
6.
How many human beings may
claim to be righteous? What ability
do we have to change our condition?
Rom. 3:10; Jer. 13:23.
Christ Our Righteousness
7.
What does the Bible declare
Christ to be? Jer. 23:6.
NOTE.—
"
Christ
our righteousness is the
one sublime message set forth in the Sacred
Scriptures. However varied the forms and
phrases in which this message may be un-
folded and presented, yet always, from every
point of the circle, the central commanding
theme is, Christ our righteousness."—A. G.
Daniells,
Christ Our Righteousness,
page 15.
8.
How is the righteousness of
Christ received? Rom. 5:17.
NoTE.—Again and again the apostle Paul
has sought to impress upon us that God's
righteousness is a gift through the Lord
Jesus. We cannot earn it by works, but we
do obtain it by faith.
9.
How is the exchange of Christ's
righteousness for our sins further de-
scribed? 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21.
(51
The Practice of Righteousness
13. What is the work and effect of
righteousness? Isa. 32:17.
10.
What is possible through the
practice of righteousness? Dan. 4:27;
Prov. 12:28; 10:2.
NOTE.—"Break off your sins by practicing
righteousness" (R.S.V.). Deeds of righteous-
ness, good works, and "almsgiving" (the
word used in the Greek version), certainly
have their role in the worthy quest for a
righteous character.
11.
What evidence of change will
be seen in the lives of those who prac-
tice righteousness? Ps. 15:1-5.
12.
What two things make a man
acceptable to God? Acts 10:35.
Counsel to Seek Righteousness
14. What are we counseled to do
to obtain righteousness? Matt. 5:6.
Think on These Things
We can be saved only by faith in the sub-
stitutionary death of Christ. How then were
people saved before He died on the cross?
Is it possible to know and believe the great
truths entrusted to us and yet not possess
the righteousness of Christ?
Why was an emphasis on the message of
righteousness by faith in Christ necessary in
1888? Is it possible that it is needed today?
What is the real purpose of the message
of righteousness by faith?
Lesson 2, for April 8, 1961
The Great Need of the Church
MEMORY VERSE:
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3.
STUDY HELPS:
"Testimonies," vol. 3, pp. 252-272; "Christ's Object Lessons," chap-
ter, Without a Wedding Garment; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen-
tary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March
23.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-5.
Monday: Questions 6-9.
Tuesday: Questions 10-12.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 13, 14; begin
reading Study Helps.
Thursday: Read further from
Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Laodicean Message
1.
Addressed to remnant church.
Rev. 3:14, first part.
2.
Its Author. Rev. 3:14, last part.
II. The Solemn Threefold Charge
3.
First charge: lukewarmness.
Rev. 3:15, 16.
4.
Second charge: self-sufficiency.
Rev. 3:17, first part.
C
6)
5.
Third charge: poverty, blindness,
and nakedness. Rev. 3:17, last part.
III. The Threefold Remedy
6.
Gold—faith and love. Rev. 3:18,
first part.
7.
White raiment—righteousness of
Christ. Rev. 3:18, second part; 19:8.
8.
Eyesalve—spiritual discernment.
Rev. 3:18, last part.
9.
Rebuke given in love. Rev. 3:19.
IV. The Marriage Supper
10.
Invitation to guests. Matt. 22:2, 3.
11.
The examination and essential
qualification. Matt. 22:11.
12.
Fate of the rejected.
Matt. 22:12, 13.
V. The Essential Knowledge and
Experience
13.
A knowledge of God and Christ.
John 17:3 ; 1 John 5:20.
14.
Christ in the heart will change the
life. Rev. 3:20, 21.
THE LESSON
Introduction: The Laodicean
Message Will Do Its Work
In
His infinite love, the Lord Jesus ad-
dresses a special message to His remnant
church. It is a most solemn denunciation,
but it offers hope and comfort. It is given
because Christ loves His church and desires
it to repent. He has entrusted to her the
final proclamation of the gospel message,
and she must be prepared to give it in power
and purity to the world. Accompanying the
message of rebuke is a most wonderful three-
fold remedy. The church has been long in
accepting the message and permitting it to
accomplish what the Saviour desires. But
we have this blessed assurance given long
years ago: "God has given the message time
to do its work. The heart must be purified
from sins which have so long shut out Jesus.
This fearful message will do its work."—
Testimonies, vol.
1, p. 186. (Italics supplied.)
The Laodicean Message
1. What symbolic name is given to
the last church? Rev. 3:14, first part.
NorE.—"I was shown that the testimony
to the Laodiceans applies to God's people at
the present
time."—Testimonies, vol.
1, p.
186.
"The message to the Laodicean church is
applicable to all who have had great light
and many opportunities, and yet have not
appreciated them."—The
Faith I Live By,
page 306.
2.
Who is the Author of the Laodi-
cean message? Rev. 3:14, last part.
Compare Rev. 1:5.
The Solemn Threefold Charge
3.
What is the first charge brought
against the church? Rev. 3:15, 16.
4.
How is the self-sufficiency of the
church described? Rev. 3:17, first
part.
NOTE.—We are rich in a knowledge of
Scriptural truth. All the light of the cen-
turies is shining upon us. The great ques-
tion is, has this truth passed from the realm
of theory and entered into the inner sanc-
tuary of the soul to purify it?
5.
How does the Saviour describe
the true condition of the church? Rev.
3:17, last part.
NOTE.—The condition of many in the
church is thus described in modern language:
"What pride is prevailing in the church,
what hypocrisy, what deception, what love
of dress, frivolity, and amusement, what de-
sire for supremacy! All these sins have
clouded the mind, so that eternal things have
[ 7 ]
ALL OUR GOODNESS IS FILTH COMPARED WITH THE
ROBE OF CHRIST'S GOODNESS.
not been discerned."—Selected
Messages,
b.
1, p.
125.
"What is it that constitutes the wretched-
ness, the nakedness of those who feel rich
and increased with goods
?—It is the want
of the righteousness of Christ."—Ellen
G.
White,
The Review and Herald,
Aug. 7, 1894.
(Italics supplied.)
The Threefold Remedy
6.
What is the first remedy offered?
Rev. 3:18, first part. Compare James
2:5; Gal. 5:6.
NOTE.—"Faith and love are the true
riches, the pure gold which the True Witness
counsels the lukewarm to
buy."—Testimo-
nies,
vol. 4, p. 88.
7.
With what is the spiritual naked-
ness of the church to be covered? Rev.
3:18, second part; 19:8.
NOTE.—"The white raiment is purity of
character, the righteousness of Christ im-
parted to the
sinner."--Testimonies,
vol. 4,
p. 88.
8.
What is the remedy for the spir-
itual blindness of the church? Rev. 3:
18, last part.
NOTE.—Many mistake a theoretical
knowledge of the truth for its sanctifying
power in life. "We are fully sustained in our
positions by an overwhelming amount of
plain Scriptural testimony. But we are very
much wanting in Bible humility, patience,
faith, love, self-denial, watchfulness, and the
spirit of sacrifice. We need to cultivate Bible
holiness."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p.
253.
9.
In what spirit is this severe re-
buke given? Rev. 3:19.
The Marriage Supper
10.
Through what illustration did
the Saviour represent the gospel in-
vitation? Matt. 22:2, 3.
NOTE.—"The third call to the feast repre-
sents the giving of the gospel to the Gen-
tiles."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 309.
11.
What essential qualification is
required of each guest for participa-
tion in the wedding supper? Matt.
22:11.
NOTE.—"By the king's examination of the
guests at the feast is represented a work of
judgment. The guests at the gospel feast arc
those who profess to serve God, those whose
names are written in the book of life. But not
all who profess to be Christians are true dis-
ciples. Before the final reward is given, it
must be decided who are fitted to share the
inheritance of the righteous."—Christ's
Ob-
ject Lessons,
page 310.
"By the wedding garment in the parable
is represented the pure, spotless character
which Christ's true followers will possess.
. . .
It is the righteousness of Christ, His
own unblemished character, that through
faith is imparted to all who receive Him as
their personal Saviour."—Ibid.
(Italics sup-
plied.)
"All must pass the scrutiny of the great
King, and only those are received who have
put on the robe of Christ's righteousness."
—Ibid.,
p. 312.
12.
What will be the terrible fate
of those who have failed to put on the
wedding garment? Man. 22:12, 13.
[8
]
NOTE.—"It is possible to be a formal, par-
tial believer, and yet be found wanting, and
lose eternal life. It is possible to practice
some of the Bible injunctions, and be re-
garded as a Christian, and yet perish
because you are lacking in essential qualifi-
cations that constitute Christian character."
—Ellen G. White,
The Review and Herald,
Jan. 11, 1887.
The Essential Knowledge and
Experience
13.
What knowledge is essential to
eternal life? John 17:3; 1 John 5:20.
NOTE.—"The sum and substance of the
whole matter of Christian grace and ex-
perience is contained in believing on Christ,
in knowing God and His Son whom He hath
sent."—Ellen G. White,
The Review and
Herald,
May 24, 1892.
14.
What vital decision on our part
is necessary before the Lord Jesus will
bring about a great change in our
lives? Rev. 3:20, 21.
NorE.—If we will permit Jesus to come
into our hearts, "we can overcome. Yes;
fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of
escape for us, that we might overcome every
evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and
sit down at last with
Him."—Testimonies,
vol.
1, p. 144.
"To all who believe, Christ gives a new
character. This character, through His in-
finite sacrifice, is the reproduction of His
own. "The Author of our salvation will be
the Finisher of the work."—Ibid., vol. 6,
p. 449.
Think on These Things
In what ways are we guilty of lukewarm-
ness ? Are we spiritually indolent in our
personal, devotional lives? Do we pray in-
dolently? Do we endeavor so to apply our
minds to the study of the word of God that
we constantly gain from it new strength and
help?
Have we personally put on the wedding
garment? Do we know Christ as our per-
sonal Saviour and Friend? Are we con-
stantly looking unto Him? When did we
last consciously commune with Him?
Lesson 3, for April 15, 1961
God's Eternal Purpose
MEMORY VERSE:
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."
1 John 4:16.
STUDY HELPS:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," chapters 1 and 2; "The Great Contro-
versy," chapter 29; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scrip-
ture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 30.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6; read from
Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; read from
Check Here
Study Helps.
Wednesday: Questions 10-14.
Thursday: Read further from Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
[
9]
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Nature of God
1.
Creator; self-existent One; foretells
future. Isa. 40:25-28; 46:9, 10;
Rev. 1:8.
2.
Merciful, gracious, long-suffering,
full of goodness, truth, love. Ex.
34:6; 1 John 4:8, 16.
3.
Nature of God's government. Heb.
1:8; Ps. 89:14.
II. God's Purpose in Creation
4.
Worlds and angels created.
Heb. 1:2 ; Col. 1:16, 17.
5.
Created for God's glory. Isa. 43:7;
Luke 12:32.
6.
Love the basis of all God's actions.
Jer. 31:3 ; 1 John 4:19.
III. Man on Probation
7.
Man created upright. Gen. 1:27, 31;
Eccl. 7:29.
8.
Character to be perfected by obedi-
ence. Gen. 2:16, 17; Deut. 30:15-20.
9.
Physical and spiritual life depend-
ent upon God. Acts 17:28;
John 15:4, 5.
IV. God's Revealed Will-Guide to
Conduct
10.
Law-holy, just, good, eternal, un-
changeable, righteous.
Rom. 7:12, 14.
11.
Whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13, 14.
12.
Obedience, a condition of life.
Matt. 19:16-19.
13.
God's purpose to be realized.
Isa. 45:18; Ps. 37:29.
14.
Obedience, the evidence of love.
1 John 5:2, 3.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Jesus Came to
Reveal the True Nature of God
" 'The light of the knowledge of the glory
of God' is seen 'in the face of Jesus Christ.'
From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus
Christ was one with the Father; He was 'the
image of God,' the image of His greatness
and majesty, 'the outshining of His glory.'
It was to manifest this glory that He came
to our world. To this sin-darkened earth He
came to reveal the light of God's love,-to
,be 'God with us.' . . . By coming to dwell
with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to
men and to angels."-The
Desire of Ages,
page 19.
The Nature of God
1.
What are three important, dis-
tinguishing characteristics of God?
Isa. 40:25-28; 46:9, 10; Rev. 1:8.
2.
When asked by Moses to reveal
Himself, what essential characteristics
of His divine nature did God empha-
size? How did John describe Him?
Ex. 34:6; 1 John 4:8, 16.
NOTE.-"SO
to Israel, whom He desired to
make His dwelling place, He had revealed
His glorious ideal of character. The pattern
was shown them in the mount when the
law was given from Sinai, and when the
Lord passed by before Moses and pro-
claimed, 'The Lord, The Lord God, merciful
and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant
in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for
thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgres-
sion and sin.' Ex. 34:6,
7."-The Desire of
Ages,
page 209.
"Pray with Moses, 'Show me Thy glory.'
What is this glory ?-the character of God."
-Testimonies to Ministers,
page 499.
3.
What description is given of the
nature of God's government? Heb.
1:8; Ps. 89:14.
God's Purpose in Creation
4.
How did the worlds and their
inhabitants, and angelic beings, come
into existence? Heb. 1:2; Col. 1:16, 17.
5.
For what purpose were all things
created? What is God's purpose for
His people? Isa. 43:7; Luke 12:32.
10
'
°
A GOLDEN CHAIN,... DIVINE LAVE, IS PASSED
AROUND EVERY IMPERILED SOUL.
°
NoTE.—"The work of creation was a man-
ifestation of His
love."—Testimonies, vol.
5,
p. 739.
"Every manifestation of creative power is
an expression of infinite love. The sover-
eignty of God involves fullness of blessing
to all created
beings."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 33.
6.
What is God's unchanging atti-
tude toward even those who have
sinned? What should be our attitude
toward Him? Jer. 31:3; 1 John
4:19.
NorE.—"The love of God still yearns over
the one who has chosen to separate from
Him, and He sets in operation influences to
bring him back to the Father's house. . . .
A golden chain, the mercy and compassion
of divine love, is passed around every im-
periled soul. The Lord declares, 'I have
loved thee with an everlasting love; there-
fore with loving-kindness have I drawn
thee."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 202.
"Love is of God. The unconsecrated heart
cannot originate or produce it. It is found
only in the heart where Jesus reigns. 'We
love, because He first loved us.' 1 John 4:19,
R.V."—Steps to Christ,
page 59.
Man on Probation
7.
In what clear, unmistakable lan-
guage does the Bible describe the
state of man when created by God?
Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29.
8.
What was the one restriction
placed upon man? What fundamental
principle of God's dealings with man
does this reveal? Gen. 2:16, 17; Deut.
30:15-20.
NoTE.—Although Adam and Eve were
created pure and upright, they were not
placed beyond the possibility of doing
wrong. By the one restriction He placed
upon them, God was establishing His owner-
ship and their responsibility to Him. They
were free moral agents. God, whose nature
is love, did not desire an obedience based
upon fear or abject slavery. Man must be
free to exercise his will, for only by right
choices could man develop right habits and
thus form a righteous character.
"The tree of knowledge, which stood near
the tree of life in the midst of the garden,
was to be a test of the obedience, faith, and
love of our first parents. . . . If they en-
dured the trial, they would finally be placed
beyond his [Satan's] power, to enjoy per-
petual favor with
God."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
pages 48, 49.
9.
How dependent are we upon
God for both physical and spiritual
life? Acts
17:28;
John
15:4, 5.
Nom.—"Not by its own inherent energy
does the earth produce its bounties, and
year by year continue its motion around the
sun. An unseen hand guides the planets in
their circuit of the heavens. A mysterious
life pervades all nature,—a life that sustains
the unnumbered worlds throughout immen-
sity; that lives in the insect atom which
floats in the summer breeze; that wings the
flight of the swallow, and feeds the young
ravens which cry ; that brings the bud to
blossom and the flower to fruit.
"The same power that upholds nature, is
working also in man. . . . The laws that
govern the heart's action, regulating the
flow of the current of life to the body, are
the laws of the mighty Intelligence that has
jurisdiction of the soul. From Him all life
proceeds."—Education, page 99.
God's Revealed Will—
Guide to Conduct
10.
By what terms is the law of God
described? Rom. 7:12, 14.
NOTE.—"The law of God is as sacred as
God Himself. It is a revelation of His will,
a transcript of His character, the expression
of divine love and
wisdom."—Patriarchs and
Prophets,
page 52.
11.
How does the wise man sum-
marize the whole duty of man? Eccl.
12:13, 14.
NoTE.—"The law of God is the standard
by which the characters and the lives of men
will be tested in the judgment."—The
Great
Controversy,
page 482.
"By the first angel, men are called upon
to 'fear God, and give glory to Him' and to
worship Him as the Creator of the heavens
and the earth. In order to do this, they must
obey His law. Says the wise man: 'Fear God,
and keep His commandments: for this is the
whole duty of man.' Ecclesiastes 12:13.
Without obedience to His commandments,
no worship can be pleasing to God. 'This is
the love of God, that we keep His command-
ments.' He that turneth away his ear from
hearing the law, even his prayer shall be
abomination.' 1 John 5:3 ; Proverbs 28:9."
—Ibid.,
p.
436.
12.
What is the essential require-
ment for entrance into heaven and the
gift of eternal life? Matt. 19:16-19.
NoTE.—"God requires perfection of His
children. His law is a transcript of His own
character, and it is the standard of all char-
acter. This infinite standard is presented to
all that there may be no mistake in regard
to the kind of people whom God will have
to compose His kingdom."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 315.
13.
In what way will God's eternal
purpose in the creation of man and
this earth be realized? Isa. 45:18; Ps.
37:29.
NOTE.
-"At
his creation, Adam was placed
in dominion over the earth. But by yielding
to temptation, he was brought under the
power of Satan. . . . When man became
Satan's captive, the dominion which he held,
passed to his conqueror.
. But Christ, by
His sacrifice paying the penalty of sin, would
not only redeem man, but recover the do-
minion which he had forfeited. All that was
lost by the first Adam will be restored by
the second. . . . God created the earth to
be the abode of holy, happy beings. . . .
That purpose will be fulfilled, when, renewed
by the power of God, and freed from sin and
sorrow, it shall become the eternal abode of
the redeemed."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 67.
14.
How is conformity to God's
will and purposes revealed? 1 John
5:2, 3.
Think on These Things
Can the Ten Commandments ever be
found faulty, or become out of date? Is
there any conflict between the law of God
and the law of love?
Can we intelligently say that we love God
and yet deliberately transgress His law?
Can we claim to keep the law of God and
yet not possess the love of God in our hearts?
[12
]
Lesson 4, for April 22, 1961
The Origin and Nature of Sin
MEMORY VERSE:
"For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more
they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall
reign in life by One, Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:17.
STUDY
HELPS: "Patriarchs and Prophets," chapter 3; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Her-
ald" of April 6.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-7; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 8-11.
Check Here
Wednesday: Question 12; read
further from Study Helps.
0
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Lucifer's Rebellion
1.
Originally created perfect.
Ezek. 28:12, 15.
2.
Sin originated with Lucifer. Ezek.
28:17; Isa. 14:13, 14; John 8:44.
II. Results of Rebellion
3.
Disloyal angels cast down to earth
with Satan. Rev. 12:4, 7-9.
4.
Wicked show enmity to righteous-
ness and law of God. Rom. 8:7.
III. The Fall of Man
5. Satan deceived Eve. Gen. 3:1-6.
IV.
V.
6.
Three avenues of temptation.
1 John 2:15-17.
7.
Adam's sin willful. Gen. 3:12.
The Results of Transgression
8.
Before sin, God talked to man. Gen.
1:28-30; 2:16, 17; 3:9.
9.
Sin separates from God. Isa. 59:1, 2.
10.
Brings us into bondage to Satan.
John 8:34.
11.
Wages of sin, death; gift of God,
eternal life. Rom. 6:23.
Restoration Through Christ
12.
The lost dominion restored.
John 16:33; Rom. 5:17, 21.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Lucifer the Author of
Sin; the Nature of His Rebellion
"Nothing is more plainly taught in Scrip-
ture than that God was in no wise responsi-
ble for the entrance of sin; that there was
no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no
deficiency in the divine government, that
gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion.
Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no
reason can be given. It is mysterious, un-
accountable; to excuse it is to defend it.
Could excuse for it be found, or cause be
shown for its existence, it would cease to be
sin."—The Great Controversy,
pages 492,
493.
"Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer,
the covering cherub, desired to be first in
heaven. He sought to gain control of
heavenly beings, to draw them away from
their Creator, and to win their homage to
himself."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 21.
Lucifer's Rebellion
1.
What words of Ezekiel to the
king of Tyrus are applied to Lucifer?
Ezek. 28:12, 15.
NoTE.—"Lucifer in heaven, before his re-
bellion, was a high and exalted angel, next
in honor to God's dear Son. His counte-
nance . . . was mild and expressive of hap-
piness. . . . His form was perfect; his bear-
ing noble and majestic.... Yet Christ, God's
dear Son, had the pre-eminence over all the
angelic host. He was one with the Father
before the angels were created."—The
Story
of Redemption,
page 13.
2.
What sins are stated as originat-
ing with Lucifer? Ezek. 28:17; Isa.
14:13, 14; John 8:44.
NOTE.—"Lucifer in heaven desired to be
first in power and authority."—Counsels
to
Parents, Teachers, and Students,
page 32.
"Satan fell because of his ambition to be
equal with God. . . . It was this ambitious
pride that led to his rebellion, and by the
same means he seeks to cause the ruin of
man."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 702.
"When God said to His Son, 'Let Us make
man in Our image,' Satan was jealous of
Je-
sus."—Early Writings,
page 145.
"Lucifer desired God's power, but not His
character. He sought for himself the highest
place, and every being who is actuated by
his spirit will do the same."—The
Desire of
Ages,
pages 435, 436.
Results of Rebellion
3.
How successful was Satan's de-
ceitful rebellion? How did the war in
heaven terminate? Rev. 12:4, 7-9.
NoTE.—"By disguising himself in a cloak
of falsehood, he had gained an advantage.
. . It was his policy to perplex with subtle
arguments concerning the purposes of God."
—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 41.
"The underworking was so subtle that it
could not be made to appear before the
heavenly host as the thing that it really was;
and so there was war in heaven, and Satan
was expelled with all who would not stand
on the side of loyalty to God's government."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p.
1143.
The "stars" of Revelation 12:4 are the
angels.
4.
To what do Satan and his fol-
lowers show enmity? Rom. 8:7. Com-
pare Acts 13:10.
The Fall of Man
5.
How was Eve deceived into dis-
obeying God? Gen. 3:1-6.
NoTE.—Satan first insinuated doubts re-
garding God's wisdom, "Yea, bath God
said?" Then he introduced doubts about His
truthfulness, "Ye shall not surely die." Fi-
nally, he suggested mistrust of God's good-
ness and intentions, "Ye shall be as gods," as
though God were withholding something
good from them.
6.
What three avenues of tempta-
tion are mentioned by the apostle
John? 1 John 2:15-17.
NOTE.—In tempting Eve, Satan combined
in one temptation all three of the avenues
given in our text. When tempting Christ in
the wilderness he pursued each separately.
"Satan commenced his work with Eve, to
cause her to disobey. She first erred in wan-
dering from her husband, next, in lingering
aroun the forbidden tree, and next in listen-
ing to the voice of the tempter, and even
daring to doubt what God had said—In the
day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
die. She thought, Perhaps it does not mean
just as the Lord said. She ventured to dis-
obey. She put forth her hand, took of the
fruit, and ate. . . . She offered the fruit to
her husband, thereby tempting him."—
Spiritual Gifts, vol.
1, pp. 20, 21.
7.
While Eve was deceived by Sa-
tan, what indicates that Adam sinned
willfully? Gen. 3:12. Compare
1 Tim. 2:14.
SIN BECAME A CURTAIN SEPARATING MAN FROM GOD,
NorE.—"Adam understood that his com-
panion had transgressed the command of
God. . . . There was a terrible struggle in
his mind. He mourned that he had permitted
Eve to wander from his side. But now the
deed was done; he must be separated from
her whose society had been his joy. How
could he have it thus? . . . Love, gratitude,
loyalty to the Creator—all were overborne
by love to Eve. . . . He resolved to share
her fate; if she must die, he would die with
her. After all, he reasoned, might not the
words of the wise serpent be
true?"—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
pages 56, 57.
The Results of Transgression
8.
Before being driven from the
Garden of Eden, what great privilege
and pleasure had Adam and Eve en-
joyed? Gen. 1:28-30; 2:16, 17; 3:9.
NOTE.—"Adam had enjoyed the compan-
ionship of God and of holy
angels."—Patri-
archs and Prophets,
page 56.
"In their innocence and holiness they had
joyfully welcomed the approach of their
Creator; but now they fled in terror, and
sought to hide in the deepest recesses of the
garden."—/bid., p. 57.
Since the entrance of sin in this world,
God's principal method of communicating
His will to man has been through the gift of
prophecy.
9.
What does sin do to our relation-
ship with God? Isa. 59:1, 2.
NOTE.—"By
sin we have been severed from
the life of God."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 84.
"But when sin entered, they severed their
connection with God, and the light that had
encircled them departed. Naked and
ashamed, they tried to supply the place of
the heavenly garments by sewing together
fig leaves for a covering.
"This is what the transgressors of God's
law have done ever since the day of Adam
and Eve's disobedience. They have sewed
together fig leaves to cover the nakedness
caused by transgression. They have worn
the garments of their own devising, by works
of their own they have tried to cover their
sins, and make themselves acceptable with
God.
"But this they can never do. . . .
"Only the covering which Christ Himself
has provided can make us meet to appear in
God's presence."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 311.
10.
When by disobedience we sever
our fellowship with God, what do we
become? John 8:34.
NoTE.—"We are held fast in the snare of
Satan, 'taken captive by him at his will'
Ephesians 2:1; Isaiah 1:5, 6; 2 Timothy
2:26. God desires to heal us, to set us free."
—Steps to Christ,
page 43.
11.
What will be the final result?
What wonderful alternative to death
is offered us? Rom. 6:23.
NOTE.—"The
death referred to in these
scriptures is not that pronounced upon
Adam, for all mankind suffer the penalty of
his transgression [the first death]. It is 'the
second death' that is placed in contrast with
everlasting life."—The
Great Controversy,
page 544.
Restoration Through Christ
12.
Although man has sinned,
what wonderful promises are made to
correct the results of Adam's failure?
John 16:33; Rom. 5:17, 21.
[15]
NOTE.—"As soon as there was sin, there
was a Saviour. Christ knew that He would
have to suffer, yet He became man's sub-
stitute. As soon as Adam sinned, the Son of
God presented Himself as surety for the
human race, with just as much power to
avert the doom pronounced upon the guilty
as when He died upon the cross of Calvary."
—Ellen G. White Comments,
The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.
1, p.
1084.
"Since the Fall the Lord has wrought out
His will in the plan of redemption, a plan by
which He is seeking to restore man to his
original perfection. Christ's death on the
cross has made it possible for God to receive
and pardon every repentant soul."—Ellen G.
White,
Signs of the Times,
June 12, 1901,
quoted in
The Faith I live By,
page 76.
Think on These Things
When Lucifer sinned, why was he not im-
mediately destroyed? Is God showing the
same compassion to us day by day?
What do you think is Satan's purpose in
seeking to lead men into sin?
What will you prize most when all the
effects of sin have been removed?
Can you see in the light of this lesson why
we are told, "Guard well the avenues to the
soul"? Through which avenue is Satan now
seeking entrance to your heart? Will you
not close that avenue to him?
Lesson 5, for April 29, 1961
Restoring the Union With God
MEMORY VERSE:
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My
voice, and open the door,
I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with Me." Rev. 3:20.
STUDY HELPS:
"Steps to Christ," chapter, Consecration; "The Desire of Ages,"
pages 328-332; "Christ's Object Lessons," chapters, Hidden Treasure and The
Pearl; "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 112-122; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Her-
ald" of April 13.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-6; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7-11.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 12-14; read
further from Study Helps.
Thursday: Read further from Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. God's Drawing Love
1.
Jesus, revealer of the Father. Matt.
11:25-27; John 14:8, 9.
2.
God sent His Son. 1 John 4:10.
3.
God's love leads to repentance.
Rom. 2:4.
II. Surrender—Pathway to Union
4.
Sin separates from God. Isa. 14:13,
14; 59:2.
5.
Deny self, enthrone Christ.
Luke 9:23.
6.
The invitation. Rev. 3:20.
III. How Saul Was Changed
7.
Saul's opposition to Jesus. Acts
22:4; 26:9-11.
8.
Stephen's humility. Acts 7:58-60.
[16]
9.
Saul surrenders. Acts 9:3-6.
10.
Now a servant of Jesus. Rom. 1:1.
11.
Christ reigns within. Gal. 2:20.
IV. Blessings of Union With Christ
12.
Obedience permits God to work in
us. Phil. 2:12, 13.
13.
God works righteousness in
us.
Ps. 37:5, 6.
14.
Promises of guidance and victory.
Prov. 3:5, 6; Ps. 32:8; James 4:6,
7.
THE LESSON
Introduction: The Gospel Is the
Revelation of Righteousness
by Faith
"The gospel," we read, "is the power of
God unto salvation to everyone that be-
lieveth." In it "is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,
The just shall live by faith." Rom. 1:16, 17.
The gospel is the "good news" that God
so loved us that He sent His Son to save us
from sin and to reveal His righteousness in
us. To undo the damage sin has done, we
must come to know God and His Son per-
sonally. "And this is life eternal, that they
might know Thee the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John
17:3. We must not only know about God
and about Christ; we must come to know
the Father and the Son for ourselves.
"Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at
peace: thereby good shall come unto thee."
Job 22:21. As we catch even a faint glimpse
of the wonderful, loving nature of God, we
come to know and love Him and seek to be
united to Him. Sin severed the union be-
tween God and man. Our only hope of
victory over sin is the restoration of this
union. The Saviour said, "Without Me ye
can do nothing." John 15:5. We must be
grafted into the Vine to draw upon His life
and power.
God's Drawing Love
1.
Because of the wrong and dis-
torted conceptions of God prevalent
in human minds, what did Jesus come
to this world to do? Matt. 11:25-27;
John 14:8, 9.
Nora.—"The earth was dark through mis-
apprehension of God. That the gloomy
shadows might be lightened, that the world
might be brought back to God, Satan's de-
ceptive power was to be broken. . . . To
know God is to love Him; His character
must be manifested in contrast to the char-
acter of Satan. . . . Only He who knew
the height and depth of the love of God
could make it known."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 22.
"Christ came to reveal God to the world
as a God of love, full of mercy, tenderness,
and compassion. . . . The work of creation
was a manifestation of His love; but the gift
of God to save the guilty and ruined race,
alone reveals the infinite depths of divine
tenderness and compassion."—Testimonies,
vol.
5, pp. 738, 739.
2.
How did God prove His love for
sinners? 1 John 4:10. Compare Rom.
8:32.
NoTE.—"The Father loves us, not because
of the great propitiation, but He provided
the propitiation because He loves us."—
Steps to Christ,
page 13.
3.
What leads a sinner to repent-
ance? Rom.
2:4.
NoTE.—"Such love is without a parallel.
. . . The matchless love of God for a world
that did not love Him! The thought has a
subduing power upon the soul and brings
the mind into captivity to the will of God."
—Steps to Christ,
page 15.
Surrender—Pathway to Union
4.
What course caused Lucifer's
separation from God? What similar
course separates all sinners from their
loving heavenly Father? Isa. 14:13,
14;
59:2.
[ 17 ]
NOTE.—We have noted in a previous les-
son that self-exaltation, pride, and unholy
ambition caused Satan to choose his own
independent course of disobedience and re-
bellion. Adam and Eve also chose to follow
their own course of action and decided to
obey Satan instead of God. God could help
them only if they desired His help and were
willing to receive it. He had to withdraw
His help when they enthroned self and de-
throned Him. When Adam and Eve sinned,
God did not cut off the current of physical
life, but continued it, to give them an op-
portunity to repent.
"When they [Adam and Eve] listened to
the voice of the tempter, and sinned against
God, the light of the garments of heavenly
innocence departed from them; and in part-
ing with the garments of innocence, they
drew about them the dark robes of ignorance
of God."—Ellen G. White Comments,
The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
vol.
1, p. 1084.
5.
How may the union and com-
munion of the soul with God, which
have been disrupted by sin, be re-
stored? Luke 9:23. Compare John
12:24-26.
NOTE.—"The warfare against self is the
greatest battle that was ever fought. The
yielding of self, surrendering all to the will
of God, requires a struggle; but the soul
must submit to God before it can be renewed
in holiness."—Steps
to Christ,
page 43.
"Many realize their helplessness; they are
longing for that spiritual life which will
bring them into harmony with God. . . .
Put your will on the side of Christ. . . . He
will impart life to the soul that is 'dead in
trespasses.' . . . Place your hand in His, and
let Him guide
you."—The Ministry of Heal-
ing,
pages 84, 85.
"By yielding up your will to Christ, you
ally yourself with the power that is above
all principalities and powers."—Steps
to
Christ,
page 48.
6.
What gracious invitation does
God extend to man to be set free from
sin, without forcing the will? Rev.
3:20. Compare Jer. 24:7.
How Saul Was Changed
7.
Previous to his conversion, what
was Paul's attitude toward Christ and
His followers? Acts 22:4; 26:9-11.
8.
What demonstration of Christ-
like humility and forgiveness had Saul
recently witnessed? Acts 7:58-60.
9.
When Saul was confronted by
Jesus on the Damascus road, what
change of attitude did he manifest?
Acts 9:3-6.
NorE.—When the Saviour met him on the
Damascus road and inquired, "Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou Me?" it proved the
turning point in his life. His submissive
words, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to
do ?" reveal the basic change. Where before
he resisted Jesus, he was now yielding to
Him and inquiring what the Saviour desired
him to do. He was opening the door of his
heart to permit the Saviour to enter and
direct his life.
10.
What words reveal his new re-
lationship to Christ? Rom. 1:1.
11.
How complete was his death to
self and his submission and fellow-
ship with his Master? Gal. 2:20.
Blessings of Union With Christ
12.
What does humble submission
permit God to do in us? Phil. 2:
12, 13.
NoTE.—"There is nothing that Satan fears
so much as that the people of God shall clear
the way by removing every hinderance, so
that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a
languishing church and an impenitent con-
[18]
THE WAR AGAINSTSELFIS THE GREATEST
BATTLE EVER FOUGHT.
gregation. . . . When the way is prepared
for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come."
—Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 124.
13. When we commit our ways to
Him, what will the Lord bring forth
in us? Ps. 37:5, 6.
NOTE.—"The
proud heart strives to earn
salvation; but both our title to heaven and
our fitness for it are found in the righteous-
ness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing to-
ward the recovery of man until, convinced
of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-
sufficiency, he yields himself to the control
of God. Then he can receive the gift that
God is waiting to bestow. From the soul
that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He
has unrestricted access to Him in whom all
fullness dwells."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
300.
14. What other wonderful bless-
ings does yielding to God's will secure
for us? Prov. 3:5, 6; Ps. 32:8; James
4:6, 7.
NOTE.—
"God knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim,
He does the very best for those
Who leave the choice to Him."
"Those who decide to do nothing in any
line that will displease God, will know, after
presenting their case before Him, just what
course to pursue."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
668.
"Those who surrender their lives to His
guidance and to His service will never be
placed in a position for which He has not
made provision."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 248.
Think on These Things
"When we submit ourselves to Christ, the
heart is united with His heart, the will is
merged in His will, the mind becomes one
with His mind, the thoughts are hi
-
Ought
into captivity to Him; we live His life.
This
is what it means to be clothed with the gar-
ments of His righteousness.
Then as the
Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf
garment, not the nakedness and deformity
of sin, but His own robe of righteousness,
which is perfect obedience to the law of
Je-
hovah."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 312.
(Italics supplied.)
Have I really submitted my will to Christ?
How fully have I surrendered to Him? Am
I willing to pay the price for the spiritual
power I so sorely need?
Lesson 6, for May 6, 1961
Imputed Righteousness—Justification by Faith
MEMORY VERSE:
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.
STUDY HELPS:
"Steps
to Christ,"
chapter, The Test of Discipleship; "Testimonies to
Ministers," pages 91-98; "Gospel Workers," pages 161, 162; "The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review
and Herald" of April 20.
[19]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5-8.
Tuesday: Questions 9-11; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 12, 13; read
further from Study Helps.
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. How Guilt Is Pardoned
1.
Law eternal. Matt. 5:18.
2.
God is just, and justifies sinner.
Rom. 3:25, 26.
3.
Substitutionary sacrifice. 1 Cor.
15:3
4.
Justification by His blood. Rom. 5:9.
II. How Sin Is Forgiven
5. Conditions of forgiveness.
Prov. 28:13.
6. Repentance a gift. Acts 5:31;
Rom. 2:4.
7. Confession-cleansing. 1 John 1:9.
8. Condemnation removed. Rom. 8:1.
III. Imputed Righteousness
9. The great transaction.
2 Cor. 5:21.
10. By faith, not works.
Rom. 5:1; 3:24, 28, 31.
11. Faith counted for righteousness.
Rom. 4:5, 6, 23-25.
IV. Nature Changed
12. Born of Christ. 1 John 5:1 • 3:9.
13. Christ's law in our hearts. Heb. 8:10.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Righteousness,
Imputed and Imparted
It was prophesied of Jesus, "The Lord is
well pleased for His righteousness' sake; He
will magnify the law, and make it honor-
able." Isa. 42:21. Jesus said, "I have kept
My Father's commandments, and abide in
His love." John 15:10.
"The righteousness
of God is embodied in Christ. We receive
righteousness by receiving Him."-Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
page 18. (Ital-
ics supplied.)
The work of righteousness is twofold.
"The righteousness by which we are justified
is imputed; the righteousness by which we
are sanctified is imparted. The first is our
title to heaven, the second is our fitness for
heaven."-Messages to Young People,
page
35. (Italics supplied.)
In this series of lessons "justification" re-
fers to the transition from a life dedicated to
the pursuit of sin to one dedicated to the
pursuit of righteousness. "Sanctification" re-
fers to the process of character transforma-
tion that accompanies a normal Christian ex-
perience.
How Guilt Is Pardoned
1.
How enduring is the law of
God? Matt. 5:18.
NOTE.
-"The
law of God, being a revela-
tion of His will, a transcript of His character,
must forever endure, 'as a faithful witness in
heaven.' [Ps. 89:37.] Not one command has
been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been
changed. Says the psalmist: 'Forever, 0
Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.' Psalm
119:89."-The
Great Controversy,
page 434.
Since the law of God is perfect and eter-
nal, as is its Author, it does not need to be
changed, and cannot be changed or abro-
gated. Therefore if law and order are to be
preserved in the universe, there must be
punishment for the transgression of law.
2.
In order to maintain justice and
yet save the repentant sinner, what
wonderful plan did God devise for
our salvation? Rom. 3:25, 26.
[ 20 ]
NOTE.—The transgression of God's law
made the death of Christ essential to save
man and yet maintain the dignity and honor
of the law. Christ took upon Himself the
condemnation of sin.
"As man's substitute and surety, the iniq-
uity of men was laid upon Christ; He was
counted a transgressor that He might re-
deem them from the curse of the
law."—The
Story of Redemption,
page
225.
3.
By what substitutionary provi-
sion is the penalty of sin met? 1 Cor.
15:3.
NoTE.—The broken law demands the
death penalty. "Without shedding of blood
is no remission." Heb. 9:22. For this reason,
as man's substitute, Jesus was required to
shed His blood.
"God calls for faith in Christ as our aton-
ing sacrifice. His blood is the only remedy
for sin."—Ellen G. White,
The Faith I Live
By,
page 102.
4.
What is it then that justifies us?
Rom. 5:9.
NoTE.—To justify a sinner means three
things: (a) that the penalty for his sins be
fully met; (b) that he be treated as though
he had not sinned; (c) that his nature be so
changed that a new life principle now oper-
ates within him, enabling him to go on
to
perfect a righteous character.
How Sin Is Forgiven
5.
Upon what conditions is forgive-
ness of sin offered? Prov. 28:13.
6.
Since we cannot change our own
natures, what gift does Jesus impart
to us? Acts 5:31; Rom. 2:4, last part.
NOTE.—"Many
are confused as to what
constitutes the first steps in the work of
salvation. Repentance is thought to be a
work the sinner must do for himself in order
that he may come to Christ. They think
A NEW HEART, WHICH IS A CHANGED L FE, IS GODS
2061
-
5
GIFT TO THE REPENTANT SOUL.
that the sinner must procure for himself a
fitness in order to obtain the blessing of
God's grace. But while it is true that re-
pentance must precede forgiveness, for it is
only the broken and contrite heart that is
acceptable to God, yet the sinner cannot
bring himself to repentance, or prepare him-
self to come to Christ. . . . The very first
step to Christ is taken through the drawing
of the Spirit of God; as man responds to
this drawing, he advances toward Christ in
order that he may repent. . . .
"Repentance is no less the gift of God than
are pardon and justification, and it cannot
be experienced except as it is given to the
soul by Christ. If we are drawn to Christ,
it is through His power and virtue. The
grace of contrition comes through Him, and
from Him comes justification."—Selected
Messages,
b. 1,
pp. 390, 391.
7.
When genuine repentance leads
to confession and a turning away
from sin, what is God's wonderful
promise to us? 1 John 1:9.
8.
When we accept Jesus into our
hearts and confess our sins, what
change takes place in our relation to
the law? Rom. 8:1.
NOTE.—"Through
repentance and faith
we are rid of sin, and look unto the Lord
our righteousness." "Having made us right-
[ 21 ]
eous thrOugh the imputed righteousness of
Christ, God pronounces us just, and treats
us as just. He looks upon us as His dear
children."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, pp. 393,
394.
Imputed Righteousness
9.
By what wonderful transaction
are we freed from the condemnation
of sin and made righteous in God's
sight? 2 Cor. 5:21.
NOTE.—"The great work that is wrought
for the sinner who is spotted and stained by
evil is the work of justification. By Him who
speaketh truth he is declared righteous. The
Lord imputes unto the believer the right-
eousness of Christ and pronounces him right-
eous before the universe.
He transfers his
sins to Jesus,
the sinner's representative, sub-
stitute, and surety. Upon Christ He lays the
iniquity of every soul that believeth."—
Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 392. (Italics sup-
plied.)
10.
Upon what grounds alone can
one be justified? Rom. 5:1; 3:24,
28, 31.
NOTE.—"Salvation is God's free gift to the
believer, given to him for Christ's sake alone.
The troubled soul may find peace through
faith in Christ, and his peace will be in pro-
portion to his faith and trust. He cannot
present his good works as a plea for the
salvation of his soul."—Ellen G. White Com-
ments,
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
vol. 5, p. 1122.
11.
When by faith we believe in
Christ and accept His atoning blood
for our justification, what is imputed
to us, and how do we now stand?
Rom. 4:5, 6, 23-25.
NOTE.—To "impute" in theological lan-
guage means to "credit," "transfer," or
ascribe "vicariously." When the righteous-
ness of Christ is "imputed" to us in justifica-
tion, it means that "Christ imputes to us His
sinless character, and presents us to the Fa-
ther in His own purity."—Ellen G. White,
The Review and Herald,
July 12, 1892.
"Christ was treated as we deserve, that
we might be treated as He deserves. He was
condemned for our sins, in which He had no
share, that we might be justified by His
righteousness, in which we had no share. He
suffered the death which was ours, that we
might receive the life which was
His."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 25.
Nature Changed
12.
When we accept Jesus as our
Saviour from sin, what change takes
place in our sinful natures? 1 John
5:1; 3:9.
NoTE.—God forgives our sins and imputes
the righteousness of Christ to us for our
justification, subject to our future obedience
to His law. But without a change of heart
it would be impossible for us to obey the law.
When we yield to Christ and invite Him to
come into our hearts, a new life, His life, is
now implanted (born) in us.
"When Jesus speaks of the new heart, He
means the mind, the life, the whole being.
To have a change of heart is to withdraw the
affections from the world, and fasten them
upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have
a new mind, new purposes, new motives.
What is the sign of a new heart ?—A changed
life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfish-
ness and
pride."—Messages to Young Peo-
ple,
page 72.
13.
What new-covenant provision
is thus fulfilled? Heb. 8:10. Compare
Titus 3:5-7.
NoTE.—The change that Christ accom-
plishes in us is to bring our natures into
harmony with the law of God. This is the
work of the "new covenant." He writes His
laws in our hearts and puts them in our
minds. This change is conversion or the new
birth.
"Through this simple act of believing
God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life
in your heart. You are as a child born into
the family of God, and He loves you as He
loves His
Son."—Steps to Christ,
page 52.
1
22
Think on These Things
When is the righteousness of Christ im-
puted to me in justification-at the time I
believe my sins are forgiven, or when my re-
cord is examined in the investigative judg-
ment?
What great error prevails in the religious
world regarding the provisions of the new
covenant?
Have you entered into the new-covenant
relationship with your Lord? Is He writing
His law in your heart?
Lesson 7, for May 13, 1961
Sanctification Through Imparted Righteousness
MEMORY VERSE:
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye
in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have
been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Col. 2:6, 7.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 539-545, 557-567; "Christ's Object
Lessons," 1941 ed., pp. 46-61; "Steps to Christ," chapter, Growing Up Into
Christ; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture refer-
ences; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of April 27.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Study Helps.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.
Wednesday: Questions 11-13.
Monday: Questions 4-7.
Thursday: Read from Study Helps.
0
Tuesday: Questions 8-10; read from
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. What Sanctification Is
1.
Pressing toward the mark.
Phil. 3:12-15.
2.
Fighting the good fight.
1 Tim. 6:11, 12.
3.
Building character. Col. 2:6, 7;
1 Peter 5:10.
II. What Sanctification Accomplishes
4.
A transformation of the life.
Rom. 12:1, 2; 2 Cor. 7:1.
5.
John a shining example. Mark 3:17;
John 13:23.
6.
The chastening of God.
Heb. 12:5,
6, 11; Rev. 3:19.
7. Faith to endure testing.
James 1:2-6.
III. Clothed With Christ's Righteousness
8. Without a wedding garment.
Matt. 22:11, 12.
9. One's own righteousness. Rom.
10:2, 3; Rev. 3:17.
10. Holiness attained in this life.
Rev. 22:11.
IV. Like Christ at His Coming
11. Complete in God's will. Eph. 5:27;
Col. 4:12.
12. Holy as God is holy. 2 Cor. 3:18;
1 Peter 1:15, 16.
13. Faultless at Christ's coming. 1 Thess.
3:12, 13; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24.
[ 23
THE LESSON
Introduction: Meaning of
Sanctification
The term
sanctification
has many shades
of meaning. As used in connection with the
articles of the sanctuary service and in gen-
eral, it means, "set apart for a holy use,"
"made holy," "made free from sin," "puri-
fied." The term is also used of the
process
by
which, after justification, we develop a right-
eous character. It is also used of the
goal of
perfection
toward which the process is di-
rected. It is occasionally used to describe
the
experience
of those who are "in Christ"
and daily permitting God to mold their lives.
"The Scriptures plainly show that the
work of sanctification is progressive. When
in conversion the sinner finds peace with
God through the blood of the atonement,
the Christian life has but just begun. Now
he is to 'go on unto perfection;' to grow up
`unto the measure of the stature of the full-
ness of Christ.'
"—The Great Controversy,
page 470.
"Many have an idea that they must do
some part of the work alone. They have
trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin,
but now they seek by their own efforts to
live aright. But every such effort must fail.
Jesus says, 'Without Me ye can do nothing.'
Our growt in grace, our joy, our usefulness
—all depend upon our union with Christ. It
is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,
—by abiding in Him,—that we are to grow
in grace. He is not only the Author, but the
Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and
last and always. He is to be with us, not
only at the beginning and the end of our
course, but at every step of the
way."—Steps
to Christ,
page 69.
What Sanctification Is
1.
What pathway of continuous ad-
vancement opens before the person
who has experienced justification by
faith in Jesus Christ? Phil. 3:12-15.
2.
What comes into the life of a
person who has been justified by faith
in Christ? 1 Tim. 6:11, 12.
NOTE.—"A noble character is earned by
individual effort through the merits and
grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the
powers of the mind; we form the character.
It is formed by hard, stern battles with self.
Conflict after conflict must be waged against
hereditary tendencies. We shall have to
criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one
unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 331.
3.
What is included in sanctifica-
tion? Col.
2:6, 7;
1 Peter 5:10. Com-
pare Rom.
6:4.
NoTE.—"Sanctification consists in the
cheerful performance of daily duties in per-
fect obedience to the will of
God."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 360.
"True sanctification is an entire conform-
ity to the will of God."—The
Sanctified
Life,
page 9.
What Sanctification Accomplishes
4.
As the process of sanctification
goes forward, what takes place in a
person's life? Rom. 12:1, 2; 2 Cor.
7:1.
NOTE.—As "the leaven hidden in the flour
works invisibly to bring the whole mass un-
der its leavening process; so the leaven of
truth works secretly, silently, steadily, to
transform the soul. The natural inclinations
are softened and subdued. New thoughts,
new feelings, new motives, are implanted. A
new standard of character is set up—the life
of Christ. The mind is changed; the facul-
ties are roused to action in new lines. Man
is not endowed with new faculties, but the
faculties he has are sanctified. The con-
science is
awakened."—Christ's Object Les-
sons,
pages 98, 99.
5.
What shining example of char-
acter transformation is revealed in one
of Christ's disciples? Mark 3:17; John
13:23.
[ 24 ]
NOTE.—John, one of the "sons of thun-
der," became the beloved disciple. "John did
not naturally possess the loveliness of char-
acter that his later experience revealed. By
nature he had serious defects. He was not
only proud, self-assertive, and ambitious for
honor, but impetuous, and resentful under
injury. He and his brother were called `sons
of thunder.' Evil temper, the desire for re-
venge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the
beloved disciple. But beneath all this the
divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere,
loving heart."—The
Acts of the Apostles,
page 540.
"In the life of the disciple John true sanc-
tification is exemplified. During the years
of his close association with Christ, he was
often warned and cautioned by the Saviour;
and these reproofs he accepted. . . . He
yielded his resentful, ambitious temper to
the molding power of Christ, and divine love
wrought in him a transformation of char-
acter."—Ibid., p. 557.
6.
What discipline is often neces-
sary in the process of sanctification?
Heb. 12:5, 6, 11; Rev. 3:19.
NOTE.—"Before
we are delivered from
Satan's power without, we must be delivered
from his power within. The Lord permits
trials in order that we may be cleansed from
earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, un-
Christlike traits of character. He suffers the
deep waters of affliction to go over our souls
in order that we may know Him and Jesus
Christ whom He has sent, in order that we
may have deep heart longings to be cleansed
from defilement, and may come forth from
the trial purer, holier, happier. Often we
enter the furnace of trial with our souls
darkened with selfishness; but if patient un-
der the crucial test, we shall come forth re-
flecting the divine character."—Christ's
Ob-
ject Lessons,
pages 174, 175.
7.
What provision has God made
for testing and guidance along the
pathway of sanctification? James
1:2-6.
NOTE.—"God's
great object in the work-
ing out of His providences is to try men, to
give them opportunity to develop charac-
ter."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 283.
"'' CHRIST CLEANSES. YOU
SANCTIFIED DURING A UFE
ARE JUSTIFIED,
OF LOVING SERVICE,-
JUSTIFICATION, A MOMENTS WORK
SANCTIFICATION.WORK OFA UFETIME
Clothed With Christ's Righteousness
8.
In the parable of the wedding
feast, what searching question was
asked one of the guests? Matt. 22:
11, 12.
NOTE.—"By
the wedding garment in the
parable is represented the pure, spotless char-
acter which Christ's true followers will
possess. To the church it is given 'that
she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white,' not having spot, or wrinkle, or any
such thing.' Rev. 19:8. Eph. 5:27. The fine
linen, says the Scripture, `is the righteous-
ness of saints.' It is the righteousness of
Christ, His own unblemished character, that
through faith is imparted to all who receive
Him as their personal Saviour."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 310.
"When we submit ourselves to Christ, the
heart is united with His heart, the will is
merged in His will, the mind becomes one
with His mind, the thoughts are brought into
captivity to Him; we live His life. This is
what it means to be clothed with the gar-
ment of His righteousness."—/bid., p. 312.
9.
Into what danger are those likely
to fall who do not understand and
submit to God's program of right-
eousness? Rom. 10:2, 3; Rev. 3:17.
( 26 ]
NoTE.—"The effort to earn salvation by
one's own works inevitably leads men to pile
up human exactions as a barrier against sin.
For, seeing that they fail to keep the law,
they will devise rules and regulations of
their own to force themselves to obey. All
this turns the mind away from God to self.
His love dies out of the heart, and with it
perishes love for his fellow
men."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
page 123.
10.
Should we expect to attain to a
state of holiness in this life, or will
that come only after the close of pro-
bation? Rev. 22:11.
NoTE.—"There will be no future probation
in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this
life that we are to put on the robe of Christ's
righteousness."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 319.
Like Christ at His Coming
11.
What is the goal in the process
of sanctification? Eph. 5:27; Col. 4:12.
NOTE.-"A
character formed according to
the divine likeness is the only treasure that
we can take from this world to the next."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 332.
12.
Toward what ideal is the Chris-
tian to strive? What will take place
as he does so? 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 Peter
1:15, 16.
13.
When will the process of sanc-
tification be complete? 1 Thess. 3:12,
13; 1 John 3:2; Jude 24.
NOTE.—Justification takes but a moment;
sanctification requires a lifetime.
"There is no such thing as instantaneous
sanctification. True sanctification is a daily
work, continuing as long as life shall last."
—The Sanctified Life,
page 10.
Think on These Things
Will there be a change in our characters
at the second coming of Christ?
Must all our sins be confessed and for-
given before the close of probation, or can
we wait until Jesus appears?
Will there be any character development
during the seven last plagues?
Lesson 8, for May 20, 1961
Righteousness Imparted Through Communion With Christ
MEMORY VERSE:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the
Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.
STUDY HELPS:
"Steps to
Christ," chapter, Growing Up Into Christ; "Messages to
Young People," pages 118-142; "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 557-567;
"Selected Messages," b. 1, pp. 336-339; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of
May 4.
26 ]
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1, 2.
Monday: Questions 3-5; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 6-8; read further
from Study Helps.
Check Here
Wednesday: Questions 9, 10; read
further from Study Helps.
Thursday: Questions 11-13; read
further from Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Union Formed by Yielding
1.
Jacob's victory. Gen. 32:24-28.
2.
Power provided. 1 John 4:13, 18, 19.
II. Maintaining the Union
3.
Submitting to God, resisting Satan.
James 4:7 ; Col. 2 :6.
4.
Denying self daily. Luke 9:23;
1 Cor. 15:31.
5.
Crucifying flesh and world.
Gal. 5:24; 6:14.
III. Abiding in Christ
6. The vine and the branches.
John 15:4, 5.
7. Having the mind of Christ.
Phil. 2:5; Rom. 7:25.
8. Transformed by association.
Acts 4:13 ; 2 Cor. 3:18.
IV. Communion Through Study of the
Word and Prayer
9. Study essential. John 5:39; 6:53,
63 ; 20:31.
10. Continuous communion. 1 Thess.
5:17; Rom. 12:12.
V. Working Out Our Salvation
11. Work out what God works in.
Phil. 2:12, 13.
12. Letting the light shine. Matt.
5:14, 16.
13. Provision in case of failure.
Jude 24, 25; 1 John 2:1.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Union Brings
Communion
There must first be a union with Christ
before there can be communion or fellow-
ship with Him. We must receive Him into
our hearts before we can invite Him to stay.
An abiding union with the Saviour is neces-
sary before He can transform our characters
into His own likeness.
Union Formed by Yielding
1. What change of attitude on the
part of Jacob transformed him from a
deceiver into an overcomer? Gen. 32:
24-28.
NOTE.-Facing the great peril of losing
his loved ones and also his own life at the
hands of a revengeful brother, Jacob deeply
repented of his sins and his own deceitful
ways. In answer to his earnest prayer, the
Saviour came to bless him. But Jacob, in
haste and fear, not recognizing the heavenly
Messenger, resisted Him with all his might.
When Christ crippled his thigh, Jacob real-
ized his mistake and ceased to resist. In-
stead, he humbly yielded and clung to the
Saviour for a blessing.
"Through humiliation, repentance, and
self-surrender, this sinful, erring mortal pre-
vailed with the Majesty of
heaven."-Pa-
triarchs and Prophets,
page 197.
2. What power and help are pro-
vided to make union with Christ pos-
sible? 1 John 4:13, 18, 19.
NOTE.-Surrendering the will to Christ and
trusting Him, giving all to Christ and tak-
ing all from Him, yielding self and accept-
27 1
"CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO GOD IN THE MORNING;
MAKE THIS YOUR VERY FIRST WORK."
ng the Saviour—this is the pathway to
union with our Lord. It is essentially an ac-
tion of the will, a choice. "Everything de-
pends on the right action of the will."—
Steps to Christ,
page 47.
Many are afraid to yield to God. They
are afraid because they do not realize He
loves them ; afraid He might ask them to
do things they think they cannot do; afraid
because they are weak, and fear they cannot
"hold out." Love casts out that fear, and
God promises that His grace is sufficient for
all our needs. His promise is that we will
never be tempted beyond our power to re-
sist, and He will supply all our needs accord-
ing to His abundant goodness. Why then
should we fear to give ourselves fully into
His loving hands?
Maintaining the Union
3. What is necessary on our part in
order to maintain the union effected?
James 4:7; Col. 2:6.
NoTE.—"Many have an idea that they
must do some part of the work alone. They
have trusted Christ for the forgiveness of
sin, but now they seek by their own efforts
to live aright. But every such effort must
fail. Jesus says, 'Without Me ye can do
nothing.' Our growth in grace, our joy, our
usefulness—all depend upon our union with
Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily,
hourly,—by abiding in Him,—that we are to
grow in grace. . . .
"Do you ask, 'How am I to abide in
Christ ?' In the same way as you received
Him at first. 'As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.'"
—Steps to Christ,
page 69.
4.
In the Christian's daily life, how
is self to be disciplined? Luke 9:23;
1 Cor. 15:31.
NorE.—"Christ changes the heart. He
abides in your heart by faith. You are to
maintain this connection with Christ by
faith and the continual surrender of your
will to Him; and so long as you do this, He
will work in you to will and to do according
to His good pleasure."—Steps
to Christ,
pages 62, 63.
"Consecrate yourself to God in the morn-
ing; make this your very first work. Let
your prayer be, 'Take me, 0 Lord, as
wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy
feet.' . . Surrender all your plans to Him,
to be carried out or given up as His provi-
dence shall indicate."—Ibid., p. 70.
5.
What is to be the Christian's at-
titude toward the flesh and the world?
Gal. 5:24; 6:14.
NoTE.—In the matter of not yielding to
our fleshly lusts, it should be remembered
that appetite is one that should be brought
under control. It was yielding to appetite
that opened the floodgates of sin upon the
world. The evil one sought to bring the
Saviour under his control by tempting Him
to satisfy His hunger in Satan's way. But
under the most trying conditions, after forty
days of fasting, the Lord Jesus resisted the
temptation, that He might offer us victory
over this very common human weakness.
Abiding in Christ
6.
How did the Saviour illustrate
the connection between Himself and
His followers? John 15:4, 5.
NOTE.—"The
Holy Spirit, which proceeds
from the only-begotten Son of God, binds
[ 28
the human agent, body, soul, and spirit, to
the perfect, divine-human nature of Christ.
This union is represented by the union of the
vine and the branches. Finite man is united
to the manhood of Christ. Through faith
human nature is assimilated with Christ's
nature. We are made one with God in
Christ."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, p.
251.
7.
Through what human faculty
may we discern spiritual things and
learn the secret of abiding in Christ?
Phil. 2:5; Rom. 7:25.
NoTE.—"Wherever there is union with
Christ there is love.. . . When we are united
to Christ, we have the mind of Christ. . . .
If we are grafted in Christ, if fiber by fiber
we have been united with the living Vine,
we shall give evidence of the fact by bear-
ing rich clusters of living
fruit."—Selected
Messages,
b. 1, p. 337.
"As His goodness, His mercy, and His love
are dwelt upon, clearer and still clearer will
be the perception of truth ; higher, holier
the desire for purity of heart and clearness
of thought."—My
Life Today,
page 262.
8.
What will be the results of con-
stant communion and fellowship with
Jesus? Acts 4:13; 2 Cor. 3:18.
NoTE.—"Christ abiding in the soul exerts
a transforming power, and the outward as-
pect bears witness to the peace and joy that
reign within. We drink in the love of Christ,
as the branch draws nourishment from the
vine."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 337.
Communion Through Study of
the Word and Prayer
9.
How may the mind and heart be
brought into communion with Christ?
John 5:39; 6:53, 63; 20:31.
NOTE.—"The soul dwelling in the atmos-
phere of holy thought is transformed by
intercourse with God through the study of
His word."—My
Life Today,
page 262.
Just as food is assimilated to become part
of our physical nature, so we must feed on
the word and meditate on Christ till we
assimilate His nature. It is a law of the
mind that it assimilates that on which it
dwells.
10.
Since "prayer is the opening of
the heart to God as to a friend," how
constant should this communion be?
1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 12:12.
NOTE .—"There is no time or place in which
it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to
God. There is nothing that can prevent us
from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of
earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street,
in the midst of a business engagement, we
may send up a petition to God and plead
for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when
he made his request before King Artaxerxes.
A closet of communion may be found wher-
ever we are. We should have the door of
the heart open continually and our invita-
tion going up that Jesus may come and abide
as a heavenly guest in the
soul."—Steps to
Christ,
page 99.
Working Out Our Salvation
11.
When Christ has transformed
us, what will be evident in our lives?
Phil. 2:12, 13.
NOTE.—"Connected with Christ, human
nature becomes pure and true. Christ sup-
plies the efficiency, and man becomes a
power for
good."--Messages to Young Peo-
ple,
page 35.
"Man cannot be saved without obedience,
but his works should not be of himself;
Christ should work in him to will and do
of His good
pleasure."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 364.
12.
What will men see in the lives
of those who are abiding in Christ?
Matt. 5:14, 16.
NoTE.—We are to "let" the light within
shine out. If we keep the heart's windows
[ 29 3
clean of defiling sin, the Saviour will shine
out.
13. When we place ourselves fully
in His hands, what is Jesus able to do
for us? But if we fall, what provision
has been made? Jude 24, 25; 1 John
2:1.
NOTE.
-"If
one who daily communes with
God errs from the path, if he turns a moment
from looking steadfastly unto Jesus, it is not
because he sins willfully; for when he sees
his mistake, he turns again, and fastens his
eyes upon Jesus, and the fact that he has
erred does not make him less dear to the
heart of God."-The
Faith I Live By,
page
118.
Think on These Things
Educators tell us that it is "the recency,
the frequency, and the intensity of stimuli"
which determine the extent of the impres-
sions made on the mind. Ask yourself these
questions:
When did I last seek to commune with
Christ?
How often do I commune with Him?
Do I seek Him with all my heart?
If I can commune with Jesus any time,
anywhere, what is the purpose and advan-
tage of set hours of personal devotion?
Lesson 9, for May 27, 1961
Righteousness Received Through Faith
MEMORY VERSE:
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Desire of Ages," pages 201-203, 342-348; "Selected Mes-
sages," b.
1,
pp. 389-398; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on
Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of May 11.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1,
2.
Monday: Questions 3-5; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 6, 7; read fur-
Check Here
ther from Study Helps.
0
Wednesday: Questions 8-12.
Thursday: Finish reading Study
Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I.
True Faith
1.
Belief that there is a God; that He
answers prayer. Heb. 11:6.
2.
Belief with the heart. Rom. 10:9, 10.
II. How Faith Is Born
3.
Hearing of the word.
Rom. 10:13, 14, 17.
4.
Christ to be lifted up. John 3:14, 15.
5.
Exercise of faith. Matt.
9:22;
15:25-28.
III. How Faith Grows
6.
Stages of growth. Matt. 6:30;
8:8-10; Acts 6:8.
7.
Trials strengthen faith. James 1:3.
IV. Righteousness Through Faith
8.
Salvation by faith, not works.
Rom. 5:1; Gal. 2:16.
9.
Faith brings justification.
Titus 3:5-8.
10.
Victory through faith. 1 John 5:4.
11.
The fight of faith. 1 Tim. 6:11, 12.
12.
Saving faith accompanied by works.
James 2:20, 22, 26.
[ 30 ]
THE LESSON
Introduction: Justification by Faith
"When God pardons the sinner, remits the
punishment he deserves, and treats him as
though he had not sinned, He receives him
into divine favor, and justifies him through
the merits of Christ's righteousness. The
sinner can be justified only through faith in
the atonement made through God's dear
Son, who became a sacrifice for the sins of
the guilty world. No one can be justified by
any works of his own. He can be delivered
from the guilt of sin, from the condemna-
tion of the law, from the penalty of trans-
gression, only by virtue of the suffering,
death, and resurrection of Christ. Faith
is the only condition upon which justifica-
tion can be obtained, and faith includes not
only belief but
trust."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 389.
True Faith
1.
What two basic concepts must
be found in true faith? Heb. 11:6.
2.
What shows that this belief must
be more than a mental assent? Rom.
10: 9, 10.
NOTE.—"The faith that is unto salvation
is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth.
. . . It is not enough to believe
about
Christ;
we must believe
in
Him. The only faith
that will benefit us is that which embraces
Him as a personal Saviour; which appropri-
ates His merits to ourselves. Many hold
faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a trans-
action by which those who receive Christ
join themselves in covenant relation with
God. Genuine faith is life."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 347.
How Faith Is Born
3.
From what does faith come?
Rom. 10:13, 14, 17.
NOTE.—"The Scriptures are the great
agency in the transformation of character.
Christ prayed, 'Sanctify them through Thy
truth; Thy word is truth.' John 17:17. If
studied and obeyed, the word of God works
in the heart, subduing every unholy at-
tribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict
of sin, and the faith that springs up in the
heart works by love to Christ, conforming
us in body, soul, and spirit to His own
image. . . .
"The truths of the word of God meet
man's great practical necessity—the conver-
sion of the soul through
faith."—Christ's
Object Lessons,
page 100.
4.
What example did Jesus use to
teach Nicodemus the operation of
faith in Christ? John 3:14, 15.
NOTE.—By His Holy Spirit God "calls" or
draws the sinner to Himself. He does this
primarily through the preaching, reading,
and teaching of His word. The sinner comes
to recognize his need and hears the wonder-
ful promises of God. Now the magnetic
love of God invites the sinner to accept God's
offers of help. If the sinner, like the ancient
Israelites, believes God and acts on His
word, he is exercising faith and finds salva-
tion.
5.
How is faith associated with or
indispensable in miracles of healing?
Matt. 9:22; 15:25-28.
NOTE.—"A living faith means an increase
of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul
becomes a conquering power. Faith takes
God at His
word."—Gospel Workers,
page
261.
"In faith the woman of Phoenicia flung
herself against the barriers that had been
piled up between Jew and Gentile. Against
discouragement, regardless of appearances
that might have led her to doubt, she trusted
the Saviour's love. It is thus that Christ de-
sires us to trust in Him. The blessings of
salvation are for every soul. Nothing but
his own choice can prevent any man from
becoming a partaker of the promise in Christ
by the gospel."—The
Desire of Ages,
page
403.
[ 31 ]
THE PATH TO VICTORY OVER SIN HAS
JESUS AT THE END OF THE WAY.
How Faith Grows
6.
By what three adjectives are de-
grees of faith described? Matt. 6:30;
8:8-10; Acts 6:8.
NoTE.—God has given a "measure of
faith" to every man. Rom. 12:3. It is ours
to exercise.
7.
In order to strengthen our faith,
what does God permit? James 1:3.
NOTE.—When we accept Christ as our
Saviour we have peace
with
God and then
He bestows upon us the peace
of
God. But
although this peace is in our hearts, that
does not mean we shall be free from trials
and temptations. So long as we are in these
bodies of ours, the flesh will tempt us. So
long as the world is around us, it will seek to
overcome us and conform us to its standards.
So long as Satan is still free, he will tempt
us to sin, by every means at his disposal,
including sickness, loss of crops, accidents,
and other misfortunes. But temptation is
not sin. Jesus was tempted. It is yielding
to temptation that constitutes sin. Trials
are the furnace or crucible in which God re-
fines us for citizenship in His kingdom.
Righteousness Through Faith
8.
Why can justification not be by
works? Rom. 5:1; Gal. 2:16.
NOTE.—"All have sinned." Rom. 3:23.
Therefore, no one can be free from the con-
demnation of the law and claim righteous-
ness by any work of penance. Furthermore,
man's sin has given him a "carnal" nature
which is not subject to the law of God. "Sin-
ful men can become righteous only as they
have faith in God and maintain a vital con-
nection with
Him."—The Desire of Ages,
page 310.
9.
How does the apostle Paul teach
that faith not only justifies but also
enables us to live the Christian life?
Titus 3:5-8.
NOTE.—"Faith is trusting in God. . . . In
place of our ignorance, it accepts His wis-
dom ; in place of our weakness, His strength ;
in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness.
. . . Truth, uprightness, purity, are pointed
out as secrets of life's success. It is faith
that puts us in possession of these. Every
good impulse or aspiration is the gift of God;
faith receives from God the life that alone
can produce true growth and efficiency."—
Gospel Workers,
page 259.
10.
How is victory to be gained
over the world? 1 John 5:4.
NOTE.—"It was through faith that the
ancient worthies 'subdued kingdoms, . . .
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weak-
ness were made strong, waxed valiant in
fight, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens.'"—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
513.
11.
In the Christian warfare what
must we fight to preserve? 1 Tim.
6:11, 12.
NorE.—The Christian must strive to keep
his mind fixed on Jesus, and must fight the
good fight of faith against doubt and dis-
couragement. The pathway to victory is to
keep Christ enthroned within by surrender,
keep the mind fixed on Him for its trans-
formation, and by faith grasp the mighty
hand of God for the power to overcome the
world, the flesh, and the devil.
[32
]
12. What is the true relationship
between faith and works? James 2:20,
22, 26.
NOTE.—"Genuine faith will be manifested
in good works; for good works are the
fruits of faith. As God works in the heart,
and man surrenders his will to God and co-
operates with God, he works out in the life
what God works in by the Holy Spirit, and
there is harmony between the purpose of
the heart and the practice of the life. . . .
It is an evidence that a man is not justified
by faith when his works do not correspond
to his profession. . . . The believer is justi-
fied without any merit of his own. . . . He
is justified through redemption that is in
Christ Jesus. . . . But while he is justified
because of the merit of Christ, he is not free
to work unrighteousness. Faith works by
love and purifies the soul. . . . Where faith
is, good works appear. The sick are visited,
the poor are cared for, the fatherless and the
widows are not neglected, the naked are
clothed, the destitute are fed. Christ went
about doing good, and when men are united
with Him, they love the children of God,
and meekness and truth guide their foot-
steps."—Selected Messages,
b. 1, pp. 397,
398.
Think on These Things
Is
it faith or presumption to demand that
God fulfill certain promises as we under-
stand them?
When we pray for greater faith, what may
we expect?
Am I developing faith, day by day, by
trusting God for the lesser needs of every-
day life?
Lesson 10, for June 3, 1961
Doing God's Will
MEMORY VERSE:
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the
flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8:3, 4.
STUDY HELPS:
"Christ's Object Lessons," 1941 ed., pp. 272-283; "Thoughts From
the Mount of Blessing," 1956 ed., pp. 147-152 (1943 ed., pp. 211-218); "The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson
Help in "Review and Herald" of May 18.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Tuesday:
Questions 7-10.
Sunday:
Introduction; questions
1-3.
Wednesday:
Questions 11-14.
Monday:
Questions 4-6; read from
Thursday:
Read from Study Helps.
Study Helps.
Friday:
Review entire lesson.
12.
Evidence of love for Christ.
John 14:15, 21, 23, 24.
II. Christ's Example and Enabling
Power
13.
Christ's constraining power.
Rom. 8:3, 4, 6; 2 Cor. 5:14.
14.
Christ and His Father's will.
John 5:30; 6:38.
15.
Obedient unto death. Mark 14:36;
Phil. 2:8.
[337
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Obedience the Test of Profession
1.
Salvation for those who obey.
Heb. 5:9.
2.
Basis of admission to kingdom.
Matt. 7:21-23.
Ill. Our Responsibility for Known Truth
7.
Obedience commensurate with
knowledge. James 1:22-25; 4:17.
8.
Hearing and doing. Matt. 7:24-27;
21:28-32.
9.
Human tradition versus God's com-
mands. Mark 7:7-9.
10.
Faith does not set aside the law.
Rom. 3:31.
IV. God's Will and Man's Obedience
11.
Seeking to know God's will.
Rom. 12:2.
12.
Obedience from the heart. Rom.
6:17; Eph. 6:6.
13.
The new birth and sin. 1 John 3:6,
9; 5:18.
14.
Our Advocate. 1 John 2:1.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Theories of
admission to His kingdom? Matt.
Sanctification
7:21-23. Compare Matt. 5:19; 6:10.
There are many false theories of sancti-
fication abroad in the land today. Many of
them purport to be Christ-centered and
based on the teaching of the word of God.
They seem so plausible that multitudes are
being deceived. On a subject of such su-
preme importance surely we cannot afford
to be deceived. We have studied how by the
works of the law, or our obedience to it,
we cannot be saved, for we have all trans-
gressed it at one time or another. But that
does not mean we can be saved while living
in disobedience to it. To claim to be sancti-
fied by Christ and then to disregard His law
is to exalt the cross of Christ and then
take away His crown. True sanctification
as set forth in God's last message to the
world is complete obedience to His law
through the indwelling presence of Christ.
"God does not force the will or judgment
of any. He takes no pleasure in a slavish
obedience. He desires that the creatures
of His hands shall love Him because He is
worthy of love. He would have them obey
Him because they have an intelligent ap-
preciation of His wisdom, justice, and benev-
olence. And all who have a just conception
of these qualities will love Him because they
are drawn toward Him in admiration of
His attributes."-The
Great Controversy,
page 541.
Obedience the Test of Profession
1.
To whom have the blessings of
salvation been promised? Heb. 5:9.
2.
What relationship is there be-
tween doing God's will and obtaining
NoTE.-"Profession is as nothing in the
scale. It is character that decides destiny."
-Christ's Object Lessons,
page 74.
3.
Of what is obedience to God's
revealed will the visible evidence?
John 14:15, 21, 23, 24. Compare Matt.
22:37-40; 1 John 2:5.
NoTE.-"God's great object in the work-
ing out of His providences is to try men, to
give them opportunity to develop character.
Thus He proves whether they are obedient
or disobedient to His commands. Good
works do not purchase the love of God, but
they reveal that we possess that love. If
we surrender the will to God, we shall not
work in order to earn God's love. His love
as a free gift will be received into the soul,
and from love to Him we shall delight to
obey His commandments."-Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 283.
Christ's Example and Enabling
Power
4.
What means has God provided
by which He enables us to do His
will? Rom. 8:3, 4, 6; 2 Cor. 5:14.
Compare Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21.
NoTE.-"Through the grace of Christ we
may accomplish everything that God re-
quires."-Christ's Object Lessons,
page 301.
[
34]
SIN IS LET LOOSE UPON US ONLY WHEN
WE UNLOCK THE DOOR BY OUR CONSENT.
5.
How fully did Christ, living as
a Man among men, submit to the will
of His Father? John 5:30; 6:38. Com-
pare Heb. 10:7.
NOTE.—"Jesus emptied Himself, and in
all that He did, self did not appear. He sub-
ordinated all things to the will of His Fa-
ther."—Thoughts From the Mount of Bless-
ing,
page 14.
6.
With what supreme demonstra-
tion of submission to the Father's will
did Christ provide us? Mark 14:36;
Phil. 2:8.
Our Responsibility for
Known Truth
7.
What responsibility accompanies
a knowledge of God's will? What re-
sults from a willful neglect of known
duty? James 1:22-25; 4:17. Compare
John 15:22; Acts 17:30.
NOTE.—"Every man is given sufficient
light for the discharge of the duties required
of him. Man's responsibilities are propor-
tionate to his opportunities and privileges.
God gives to everyone sufficient light and
grace to do the work He has given him to do.
If man fails to do that which a little light
shows to be his duty, greater light would
only reveal unfaithfulness, neglect to im-
prove the blessings
given."—Christ's Object
Lessons,
page 265.
8.
By what parables did Jesus il-
lustrate the danger of neglecting
known duty? Matt. 7:24-27; 21:28-32.
NOTE.—"The test of sincerity is not in
words, but in deeds. . . . Words are of no
value unless they are accompanied with ap-
propriate
deeds."—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 272.
9.
What do men often substitute
for strict obedience to God's expressed
will? Mark 7:7-9.
NoTE.—"It is the love of self, the desire
for an easier way than God has appointed
that leads to the substitution of human
theories and traditions for the divine pre-
cepts."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 409.
10.
Does faith make obedience to
God's expressed will unnecessary?
Rom. 3:31. Compare James 2:17-24.
NOTE.—"Whatever our profession, it
amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed
in works of righteousness."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 313.
God's Will and Man's Obedience
11.
How only can we ascertain
God's perfect will for us? Rom. 12:2.
NOTE.—"Our condemnation in the judg-
ment will not result from the fact that we
have been in error, but from the fact that
we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities
for learning what is truth."—The
Desire of
Ages,
page 490.
12.
What kind of obedience alone
is acceptable to God? Rom. 6:17; Eph.
6:6.
(35
7
NOTE.—"The expulsion of sin is the act of
the soul itself. True, we have no power to
free ourselves from Satan's control; but
when we desire to be set free from sin, and
in our great need cry out for a power out of
and above ourselves, the powers of the soul
are imbued with the divine energy of the
Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of
the will in fulfilling the will of
God."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 466.
"All true obedience comes from the heart.
It was heart work with Christ. And if we
consent, He will so identify Himself with our
thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and
minds into conformity to His will, that when
obeying Him we shall be but carrying out
our own impulses."—/bid., p. 668.
13. What is the relation to sin of
one who is born again? 1 John 3:6, 9;
5:18. Compare Rom. 6:6-16.
NOTE.—"When it is in the heart to obey
God, when efforts are put forth to this end,
Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as
man's best service, and He makes up for the
deficiency with His own divine merit."—My
Life Today,
page 250.
"So long as we do not consent to sin, there
is no power, whether human or satanic, that
can bring a stain upon the
soul."—Thoughts
From the Mount of Blessing,
page 32.
14. Why is the child of God not
without hope should he fall into sin?
1 John 2:1. Compare 1 John 1:7-10.
Nora.—"When we are clothed with the
righteousness of Christ, we shall have no
relish for sin; for Christ will be working
with us. We may make mistakes, but we
will hate the sin that caused the suffering of
the Son of
God."—Messages to Young Peo-
ple,
page 338.
"The character is revealed, not by occa-
sional good deeds and occasional misdeeds,
but by the tendency of the habitual words
and
acts."—Steps to Christ,
pages 57, 58.
Think on These Things
When only does God attribute sin to men?
See James 4:17; Luke 12:47, 48.
Do we with the psalmist "delight"
to do
God's will? See Ps. 119:97, 174.
Is our Sabbathkeeping a sign of our per-
sonal Christian experience, or are we keep-
ing the Sabbath in the legalistic spirit of
ancient Israel?
Lesson 11, for June 10, 1961
Faith Counted for Righteousness
MEMORY VERSE:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen." Heb.
11:1.
STUDY HELPS:
"Patriarchs and Prophets," chapters 5 to 7, 11; "The Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review
and Herald" of May 25.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions
4-6;
begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; read fur-
Check Here
ther from Study Helps.
Wednesday:
Questions
10-13.
Thursday:
Read from Study Helps.
Friday:
Review entire lesson.
[86]
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Abel, Enoch, Noah
1.
Cain's and Abel's offerings. Gen.
4:3-7; Heb. 11:4.
2.
Enoch's walk with God. Heb. 11:5 ;
Gen. 5:22.
3.
Noah's faith. Heb. 11:7; Gen. 7:1.
II. Abraham
4.
His call. Gen. 12:1, 4; Heb. 11:8.
5.
Abraham's failures. Gen. 12:18;
16:3.
6.
The only safe course. Ps. 27:14;
37:5.
7.
The supreme test. Gen. 22:1-12.
8.
The divine testimonial. Gal. 3:6;
James 2:23.
9.
Children of faith. Gal. 3:7, 9;
Heb. 11:13, 16.
III. The Duty to Rebuke Evil
10.
The experience of Phinehas.
Num. 25:1-13 ; Ps. 106:30, 31.
11.
God's call to ministers. Isa. 58:1.
12.
How carried out. Joel 2:17.
13.
Need of preparation. Amos. 4:12.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Examples of
Righteousness by Faith
The Bible roster of those whose lives,
faith, and deeds merited the citation given
to Abraham, "It was accounted to him
for righteousness" (Gal. 3:6), is recorded in
Hebrews 11. The record of each one of these
representatives from the patriarchal age is
prefaced by the statement, "By faith." Al-
though they were
accounted righteous,
they
were all men "subject to like passions as we
are." James 5:17. The record of their lives
has been preserved "that we through pa-
tience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope." Romans 15:4.
Abel, Enoch, Noah
1. What offerings were presented
by Cain and Abel, and how were they
received? What made the difference?
Gen. 4:3-7; Heb. 11:4.
NorE.-After Adam and Eve sinned, the
Lord made plain the plan of salvation. The
heart of this plan was the infinite sacrifice
of the Son of God, the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world. In harmony with
the divine plan Abel brought a lamb and the
Lord accepted his offering.
Cain disregarded God's instruction. He
failed to bring an offering which was sym-
bolic of the death of Christ. He neither
obeyed God nor manifested faith in the aton-
ing sacrifice of Christ for his sin. The Lord
said to him, "If you do not do well, sin is
couching at the door; its desire is for you,
but you must master it." Genesis 4:7, R.S.V.
Recognizing his sinfulness and his inabil-
ity to atone for his own sins, Abel demon-
strated his loyalty to God and accepted the
Creator's provision for the removal of his
sin. By faith he slew his lamb, fully believ-
ing that the Lamb of God would shed His
precious blood for him. By faith he accepted
Christ's sacrifice and righteousness in place
of his weakness and sin, so God manifested
his approval by flashing down fire from
heaven to consume his sacrifice, and "he ob-
tained witness that he was righteous."
2. What is the record regarding the
patriarch Enoch? Heb. 11:5; Gen.
5:22.
NOTE.-"Enoch walked with God three
hundred years. . . . He lived in a corrupt
age, when moral pollution was teeming all
around him; yet he trained his mind to de-
votion, to love purity. His conversation was
upon heavenly things. He educated his mind
to run in this channel, and he bore the im-
press of the divine. . . . He was unsullied
with the prevailing sins of the age in which
he lived. So may we remain pure and un-
corrupted. He was a representative of the
saints who live amid the perils and corrup-
tions of the last days. For his faithful obedi-
ence to God he was translated. So, also, the
faithful, who are alive and remain, will be
translated."-Testimonies,
vol. 2, pp. 121,
122.
( 37 3
3.
How did Noah demonstrate his
faith, and what was his reward? Heb.
11:7; Gen. 7:1.
NOTE.—So strong was Noah's trust in God
that in a wicked generation he preached
righteousness. So strong was his faith in
God's word that He built the ark, putting
into it all he possessed, when as yet rain had
never fallen on the earth, for the earth, up
to this time, was watered by a mist. Noah
demonstrated that faith without works is
dead. James 2:20.
Abraham
4.
How did Abraham first manifest
implicit faith in God? Gen. 12:1, 4;
Heb. 11:8.
5.
How did Abraham reveal his hu-
man weakness? Gen. 12:18; 16:3.
NoTE.—The Bible records the weaknesses
as well as the good points of the great men
of old. This is for our encouragement, lest
we forget that they were human beings like
ourselves. Their exploits for God were not
performed because they were supermen.
6.
What is the only safe course for
Christians to follow at all times? Ps.
27:14; 37:5.
7.
What supreme test next came to
Abraham to demonstrate his unques-
tioning obedience to God? Gen. 22:
1-12.
NOTE.—"None but God could understand
how great was the father's sacrifice in yield-
ing up his son to death. . . .
"The father lifts the knife to slay his son,
when suddenly his arm is stayed. An angel
of God calls to the patriarch out of heaven,
`Abraham, Abraham I' He quickly answers,
`Here am I.' And again the voice is heard,
THE WATCHMAN IS TO SOUND THE ALARM:
"PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD."
`Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do
thou anything unto him: for now I know
that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not
withheld thy son, thine only son, from
Me.' . . .
"Abraham's great act of faith stands like
a pillar of light, illuminating the pathway
of God's servants in all succeeding ages.
Abraham did not seek to excuse himself from
doing the will of God. . . . He knew that
God is just and righteous in all His require-
ments, and he obeyed the command to the
very
letter."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages
152, 153.
8.
Because he so admirably met
this unusually severe test, what won-
derful testimonial did he receive? Gal.
3:6; James 2:23.
9.
How do we become members of
the household of Abraham? Gal. 3:7,
9; Heb. 11:13, 16.
NorE.—When such faith in God is mani-
fested by the remnant church, the Pentecos-
tal showers will descend.
The Duty to Rebuke Evil
10.
What experience in the Old
Testament demonstrates that fearless-
[ 38 ]
ness for God in reproving sin may be
counted for righteousness? Num. 25:
1-13; Ps. 106:30, 31.
11.
If sin prevails in the church as
it did in the camp of Israel, what is
God calling upon His ministers to do?
Isa. 58:1.
12.
How is this call for reforma-
tion to be carried out? Joel 2:17.
NoTE.—Not with javelin thrust, but by
weeping between the porch and the altar,
is the last reformation to be carried out. Sin
must be rebuked in the spirit of meekness
and love. While "sharpened" messages de-
nouncing sin, worldliness, and lukewarmness
are due, with deep contrition of heart and
earnest entreaty to God on the part of lead-
ers and people, a revival and reformation
from within the church will be accomplished.
13.
What solemn admonition does
God make to His people? Amos 4:12.
NoTE.—"In this age, just prior to the sec-
ond coming of Christ in the clouds of
heaven, such a work as that of John is to be
done. God calls for men who will prepare a
people to stand in the great day of the Lord.
. . . As a people who believe in Christ's
soon appearing, we have a message to bear
—Prepare to meet thy God.' Amos 4:12."—
T
estimonies,
vol. 8, p. 332.
Think on These Things
With Abel, are we following closely the
divine blueprint? How about obedience to
God in dress, amusements, associations, and
diet ?
With Enoch, do we constantly lift our
hearts to God?
With Noah, are we putting all in the work
of God?
Are we children of faithful Abraham?
Are we holding back the blessings of God
from the camp of Israel? Are we guilty of
worldliness? Are we compromising with
sin? Are we unconcerned about the spiritual
condition of the church? If we are, we our-
selves are in a serious spiritual condition.
The seal of God is only placed upon those
who "sigh and . . . cry for all the abomina-
tions that be done in the midst" (Ezek. 9:4)
of Jerusalem, the church.
Lesson 12, for June 17, 1961
The Three Angels' Messages and Righteousness by Faith
MEMORY VERSE:
"For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: be-
cause a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." Rom. 9:28.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Great Controversy," chapters 20, 21, 25, 26; "Selected Mes-
sages," b. 1, pp. 383-388; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,"
on
Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of June I.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-3.
Monday: Questions 4-7; begin read-
ing from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions
8,
9;
read fur-
Check Here
ther from Study Helps.
Wednesday: Questions 10-14.
Thursday: Read from
Study Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
I 89
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Gospel Message Heralding Second
Coming
1.
The Saviour's prophecy and its ful-
fillment. Matt. 24:14 ; Rev. 14:6-12.
2.
The gospel and righteousness.
Rev. 14:6; Rom. 1:16, 17.
3.
In all the world. Matt. 24:14, first
part; Rev. 14:6, last part.
II. The First Angel's Message
4.
"Fear God." Rev. 14:7, first part;
Eccl. 12:13 ; Ps. 111:10.
5.
"Give glory to Him." Rev. 14:7,
second part ; Matt. 5:16.
6.
"Hour of His judgment is come."
Rev. 14:7, third part; 2 Cor. 5:10.
7. Worship Creator. Rev. 14:7, last
part; Ps. 111:3, 4; 71:19; 36:6.
III. The Second Angel's Message
8. Babylon-symbol of apostasy and
evil. Rev. 14:8; 17:4, 5; 18:2, 4, 5.
9. Apostasy and rebellion to be univer-
sal. Rev. 18:3 ; 13:8.
IV. The Third Angel's Message
10. Satan's objective through apostasy.
Dan. 7:25; Rev. 12:17.
11. God's warning. Rev. 14:9-11.
12. Deceptive miracles. Rev. 13:13, 14;
2 Thess. 2:9, 10.
13. God's loyal subjects. Rev. 14:12.
14. Obedience through faith of Jesus.
Rev. 14:12, last part; Gal. 2:20;
1 John 5:4.
THE LESSON
Introduction: Justification by Faith,
the Third Angel's Message
The question now arises: What is the re-
lationship between the message of righteous-
ness by faith and the threefold message of
Revelation 14? Are they in any way con-
nected, or is the message of righteousness by
faith an independent message? The object
of this lesson is to show that these two
messages are vitally connected.
"Several have written to me, inquiring if
the message of justification by faith is the
third angel's message, and I have answered,
'It is the third angel's message in verity.' "
-Selected Messages,
b. 1, p. 372.
The message of justification by faith is a
part of the message of righteousness by faith,
for we are justified by the imputed righteous-
ness of Christ. Any effort, therefore, to teach
that the message of righteousness by faith
is independent of the three angels' messages
is false teaching.
Gospel Message Heralding
Second Coming
1. What great proclamation will be
made before the second advent of
Christ? Matt. 24:14; Rev. 14:6-12.
NOTE.
-"When
God sends to men warn-
ings so important that they are represented
as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the
midst of heaven, He requires every person
endowed with reasoning powers to heed the
message."-The
Great Controversy,
page
594.
"By the purity, the glory, and the power
of the heavenly messenger, divine wisdom
has been pleased to represent the exalted
character of the work to be accomplished by
the message and the power and glory that
were to attend
it."-Ibid.,
p. 355.
2. What is this last message specifi-
cally called and what is its connec-
tion with righteousness by faith? Rev.
14:6; Rom. 1:16, 17.
NoTE.-The final proclamation of God's
last message to the world is not of some new
truth, but the everlasting gospel, the good
news that Jesus saves from sin by the right-
eousness of Christ received through faith.
"The message of salvation has been
preached in all ages; but this message [the
opening of the judgment] is a part of the
gospel which could be proclaimed only in
the last days, for only then would it be true
that the hour of judgment
had come."-The
Great Controversy,
page 356.
[ 40 ]
3.- What further evidence is pro-
vided to show that the message of
Revelation 14 is the same as that re-
ferred to by the Saviour in Matthew
24:14? Matt. 24:14, first part; Rev.
14:6, last part.
NOTE.—"God
has in reserve a firmament
of chosen ones that will yet shine forth
amidst the darkness, revealing clearly to an
apostate world the transforming power of
obedience to His law. Even now they are
appearing in every nation, among every
tongue and
people."—Prophets and Kings,
page 189.
The First Angel's Message
4.
In the final proclamation of the
everlasting gospel, what is the first
great truth to be emphasized? What
does the "fear" of God include? Rev.
14:7, first part; Eccl. 12:13; Ps. 111:10.
NoTE.—"By the first angel, men are called
upon to 'fear God, and give glory to Him'
and to worship Him as the Creator of the
heavens and the earth. In order to do this,
they must obey His law. . . . Without obe-
dience to His commandments no worship
can be pleasing to God. 'This is the love of
God, that we keep His commandments.' He
that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be abomination.'
1 John 5:3 ; Proverbs
28:9."—The Great
Controversy,
page 436.
5.
What is the next truth to be pro-
claimed with a loud voice? How does
sinful man best glorify God? Rev.
14:7, second part; Matt. 5:16.
NoTE.—"Above all lower orders of being,
God designed that man, the crowning work
of His creation, should express His thought
and reveal His
glory."—Testimonies,
vol. 8,
p. 264.
6.
What solemn announcement is
made to the world? Rev. 14:7, third
part; 2 Cor. 5:10.
'ALL NEED A .KNOWLEDGE FOR THEMSELVES OFTHE
POSITION AND WORK OF THEIR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.'
205,42
NoTE.—"The subject of the sanctuary and
the investigative judgment should be clearly
understood by the people of God. All need
a knowledge for themselves of the position
and work of their great High Priest. Other-
wise it will be impossible for them to exercise
the faith which is essential at this time or to
occupy the position which God designs them
to
fill."—The Great Controversy,
page 488.
7.
Whom are we admonished to
worship? What do His created works
reveal? Rev. 14:7, last part; Ps. 111:3,
4; 71:19; 36:6.
NOTE.—"The
duty to worship God is
based upon the fact that He is the Creator
and that to Him all other beings owe their
existence. . . .
"The importance of the Sabbath as a
memorial of creation is that it keeps ever
present the true reason why worship is due
to God'—because He is the Creator, and we
are His creatures."—The
Great Controversy,
pages 436, 437.
The Second Angel's Message
8.
By what term is apostasy against
God and opposition to righteousness
designated in the second angel's mes-
sage? Rev. 14:8; 17:4, 5; 18:2, 4, 5.
41
NorE.—The term
Babel
or
Babylon,
which
means "confusion," was first applied to pa-
gan apostasy against God. See Gen. 11:1-9.
It was later applied to the papacy, which
assimilated pagan errors and superstitions.
It now refers to all conflicting faiths, in-
cluding apostate Protestantism, which defy
the authority of God by substituting man-
made observances for God's, including the
seventh-day Sabbath.
9.
How universal will be the ac-
ceptance of Babylon's false doctrines
and practices? Rev. 18:3; 13:8.
NoTE.—All the world, including apostate
Protestantism, Catholicism, and paganism,
regardless of divergent viewpoints, will wor-
ship the beast by honoring the papal Sunday.
"The second angel's message of Revelation
14 was first preached in the summer of 1844.
... The churches then [in 1844] experienced
a moral fall, in consequence of their refusal
of the light of the advent message; but that
fall was not complete. As they have con-
tinued to reject the special truths for this
time they have fallen lower and lower. Not
yet, however, can it be said that 'Babylon
is fallen, . . . because she made
all nations
drink of the wine of the wrath of her for-
nication.'
"—The Great Controversy,
page
389.
The Third Angel's Message
10.
What is the principal objective
Satan seeks to accomplish through
apostate organizations? Dan. 7:25;
Rev. 12:17. Compare James 2:10-12.
NOTE.—"Those who keep the command-
ments of God and the faith of Jesus will
feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts.
Satan numbers the world as his subjects, he
has gained control of the apostate churches;
but here is a little company that are resist-
ing his supremacy. If he could blot them
from the earth, his triumph would be corn-
plete."—Testimonies, vol.
5, pp. 472, 473.
11.
What solemn warning against
false worship has God issued? Rev.
14:9-11.
12.
According to Bible prophecy,
what methods will Satan use in his
work of deception? Why will many
be deceived? Rev. 13:13, 14; 2 Thess.
2:9, 10.
13.
What is said of those who ac-
cept the threefold message of Revela-
tion 14? Rev. 14:12. Compare Rom.
8:3, 4.
NoTE.—"The third angel's message is the
gospel message for these last
days."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 6, p. 241.
"The third angel's message, embracing the
messages of the first and second angels, is
the message for this time. We are to raise
aloft the banner on which is inscribed: 'The
commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus.' The world is soon to meet the great
Lawgiver over His broken
law."—Ibid.,
vol.
8, p. 197.
14.
What will enable the loyal peo-
ple of God to overcome the forces of
evil? Rev. 14:12, last part. Gal. 2:20;
1 John 5:4.
NoTE.—The message of righteousness by
faith "presented justification through faith in
the Surety ; it invited the people to receive
the righteousness of Christ, which is made
manifest in obedience to all the command-
ments of
God."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 92.
This is what the third angel's message is
also designed to reveal. It also indicates that
God requires complete obedience to all His
commandments. It reveals His great dis-
pleasure against and condemnation of those
who receive the mark of the beast or make
an image to it. It brings to view a people
who keep all the commandments of God
through the faith of Jesus.
Think on These Things
"The third angel's message calls for the
presentation of the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment, and this truth must be
brought before the world; but the great
center of attraction, Jesus Christ, must not
142]
be left out of the third angel's message. By
many who have been engaged in the work
for this time, Christ has been made second-
ary, and theories and arguments have had
first
place."-Selected Messages,
b. 1 p. 383.
"In presenting the binding claims of the
law, many have failed to portray the infinite
love of Christ."-Ibid., p. 371.
"In order to meet the requirements of the
law, our faith must grasp the righteousness
of Christ, accepting it as our righteousness."
-Ibid.,
p. 374.
Lesson 13, for June 24, 1961
The Latter Rain and Righteousness by Faith
MEMORY VERSE:
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your
fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till He come and rain righteous-
ness upon you." Hosea 10:12.
STUDY HELPS:
"The Great Controversy," chapter 38; "Selected Messages," b. 2, pp.
101-118; "The Acts of the Apostles," pages 47-56; "The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Her-
ald" of June 8.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Here
Sabbath afternoon: General survey.
Sunday: Introduction; questions 1-4.
Monday: Questions 5, 6; begin
reading from Study Helps.
Tuesday: Questions 7-9; read fur-
Check Here
ther from Study Helps.
Wednesday:
Questions
10-12.
Thursday:
Read from Study Helps.
Friday:
Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Righteousness, the Preparation to
Receive the Latter Rain
1.
Repentance, baptism. Acts 2:38;
3:19.
2.
Faith. Gal. 3:14; John 7:39.
3.
Prayer. Hosea 10:12 ; Zech. 10:1.
4.
Filled with the Spirit. Acts 2:4;
6:5; Eph. 5:18.
II. Latter Rain Produces Loud Cry
5. Great power attends message. Rev.
18:1, 2; Joel 2:23, 28-32.
6. World lightened with righteousness.
Ps. 85:13; Isa. 58:8.
III. The Final Conflict
7. Christ purifies church. Mal. 3:1-4;
Song of Solomon 6:10.
8. Church triumphs. Matt. 16:18;
Rom. 9:28; Rev. 18:1.
9. Faith our assurance of victory.
1 John 5:4.
IV. Christ's Kingdom of Righteousness
10. Gates open to righteous. Eph. 5:27;
1 John 3:2; Isa. 26:2 ; Rev. 22:14.
11. Redeemed in white robes at mar-
riage supper. Rev.
7:9,
14; 19:6-9.
12. Reign of righteousness. Isa. 32:1;
35:8-10; 2 Peter 3:13.
[ 481
THE LESSON
Introduction: What Is the
"Latter Rain"?
By the symbol of the "latter rain" God
represents the final outpouring of the Holy
Spirit. Joel 2:23. The latter rain is to be
more abundant than the former rain, which
was given "moderately." In this outpouring
the Lord Jesus will especially manifest His
power. See Hosea 6:3. His work for us is
accomplished through His imputed and im-
parted righteousness. He comes through His
representative, the Holy Spirit. This special
bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary
measure is imparted to those who by receiv-
ing the righteousness of Christ have over-
come every besetment and gained the victory
through faith. See
Early Writings,
page 71.
By this heavenly unction, Christ will em-
power His church to finish the work and to
stand through the time of trouble.
Righteousness, the Preparation to
Receive the Latter Rain
1.
What conditions are laid down
by Peter for receiving the latter rain?
Acts 2:38;
3:19.
NOTE.—"It was by the confession and for-
saking of sin, by earnest prayer and con-
secration of themselves to God, that the
early disciples prepared for the outpouring
of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
The same work, only in greater degree, must
be done
now."—Testimonies to Ministers,
page 507.
2.
As the result of our exercise of
faith, what gift will be bestowed on
us? Gal.
3:14;
John 7:39.
NoTE.—"Only to those who wait humbly
upon God, who watch for His guidance and
grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God
awaits their demand and reception. This
promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings
all other blessings in its train."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 672.
3.
How earnestly must this blessing
be sought? Hosea 10:12; Zech. 10:1.
NoTE.—"Since this is the means by which
we are to receive power, why do we not
hunger and thirst for the gift of the Spirit?
Why do we not talk of it, pray for it, and
preach concerning
it?"—The Acts of the
Apostles,
page 50.
4.
With what should the believer
pray to be filled? Acts
2:4; 6:5; Eph.
5:18.
NOTE.—It is only as we are
completely
emptied of self that we can be filled with the
Spirit. This simply means entire sanctifica-
tion, with Christ enthroned within. Eph.
3:16-19.
Latter Rain Produces Loud Cry
5.
In the proclamation of the third
angel's message, what will be the won-
derful effect of this outpouring of the
Holy Spirit? Rev. 18:1, 2; Joel
2:23,
28-32.
NOTE.—"The work of this angel [Rev.
18:1] comes in at the right time to join in
the last great work of the third angel's mes-
sage as it swells to a loud cry. And the peo-
ple of God are thus prepared to stand in the
hour of temptation, which they are soon to
meet. I saw a great light resting upon them,
and they united to fearlessly proclaim the
third angel's message."—Early
Writings,
page 277.
"All power is given into His [Jesus']
hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto
men, imparting the priceless gift of His own
righteousness to the helpless human agent.
This is the message that God commanded
to be given to the world. It is the third
angel's message, which is to be proclaimed
with a loud voice, and attended with the out-
pouring of His Spirit in a large measure."—
Testimonies to Ministers,
page 92.
1
441
THE REDEEMED WILL GIVE GLORY TO GOD
FOR HIS SAVING POWER.
6.
With what is the world to be
lightened? Ps. 85:13; Isa. 58:8.
NOTE.—"The latter rain will be more
abundant. The Saviour of men will be glori-
fied, and the earth will be lightened with the
bright shining of the beams of His righteous-
ness."—Ellen G. White,
The Review and
Herald,
Nov. 22, 1892.
The revelation will be through the lives
of His people. It is in men that the image
of Christ is to be restored, and through men
that the righteous character of Christ is to
be reflected.
The Final Conflict
7.
What does the Lord do for His
church as she enters the final conflict?
When thus purified, how is the church
described? Mal. 3:1-4; Song of Solo-
mon 6:10.
NOTE.—"Those who are living upon the
earth when the intercession of Christ shall
cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in
the sight of a holy God without a mediator.
Their robes must be spotless, their characters
must be purified from sin by the blood of
sprinkling. . .. While the investigative judg-
ment is going forward in heaven, . . . there
is to be a special work of purification, of
putting away of sin, among God's people
upon earth. This work is more clearly pre-
sented in the messages of Revelation 14.
"When this work shall have been ac-
complished, the followers of Christ will be
ready for His appearing."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
page 425.
8.
In what words did the Saviour
predict the triumph of the church
over the confederacy of evil? How
extensive will be her witness? Matt.
16:18; Rom. 9:28; Rev. 18:1.
NOTE.—"Human power and human might
did not establish the church of God, and
neither can they destroy it. Not on the rock
of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the
Rock of Ages, was the church founded, 'and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it.'
"—Prophets and Kings,
pages 595, 596.
"If the church will put on the robe of
Christ's righteousness, withdrawing from all
allegiance with the world, there is before her
the dawn of a bright and glorious day. . . .
Truth, passing by those who despise and re-
ject it, will triumph. . . When the message
of God meets with opposition, He gives it
additional force, that it may exert greater
influence. Endowed with divine energy, it
will cut its way through the strongest bar-
riers and triumph over every obstacle."—
The Acts of the Apostles,
page 601.
9.
What is our assurance of vic-
tory? 1 John 5:4.
NOTE.—"We are in the time when tribula-
tions such as the world has never yet seen
will prevail. . . . But God has set bounds
that Satan cannot pass. Our most holy faith
is this barrier ; and if we build ourselves up
in the faith, we shall be safe in the keeping of
the Mighty
One."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p.
297.
Christ's Kingdom of Righteousness
10.
What will be the condition of
the church that Christ presents to
Himself at His coming? To whom
will the pearly gates swing open?
Eph. 5:27; 1 John 3:2; Isa. 26:2; Rev.
22:14.
11.
In what garments will the re-
deemed be clad and how will they
appear at the marriage supper of the
Lamb? Rev. 7:9, 14; 19:6-9.
NorE.—"By the wedding garment in the
parable is represented the pure, spotless
character which Christ's true followers will
possess. . . . It is the righteousness of Christ,
His own unblemished character, that through
faith is imparted to all who receive Him as
their personal Saviour.... Only the covering
which Christ Himself has provided can make
us meet to appear in God's presence."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
pages 310, 311.
12.
What will be the nature of the
glorious, everlasting kingdom and
reign of Christ? Isa. 32:1; 35:8-10;
2 Peter 3:13.
NoTE.—"On Christ's coronation day He
will not acknowledge as His any who bear
spot or wrinkle or any such thing. But to
His faithful ones He will give crowns of im-
mortal glory. Those who would not that
He should reign over them will see Him sur-
rounded by the army of the redeemed, each
of whom bears the sign, THE LORD OUR
RIGHTEOUSNESS."—Ellen G. White,
The
Review and Herald,
Nov. 24, 1904.
Think on These Things
Have I by the surrender of my will to
Christ united myself to the only source of
spiritual power?
Have I freely confessed my sins and put
them away, claiming justification through
Christ's imputed righteousness?
Am I receiving His imparted righteous-
ness by constant communion with Him?
Am I growing in grace by an increase of
faith which appropriates more and more of
His righteousness?
Out of a deep love to God, am I more fully
keeping His commandments through Christ's
indwelling presence?
Am I preparing for the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit?
T46]
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
June 24, 1961, Southern African Division
The overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for the fourth quar-
ter of 1956 amounted to $68,310. 70. This generous sum of money went
to the Southern African Division to provide better homes for African
workers. For this liberal offering, the workers all over Africa were
deeply grateful, for they were badly in need of better and more per-
manent housing.
Now, four years and two quarters later, we have the privilege of
giving a helping hand to Africa again. This time the overflow will go
to another very worthy and very needy project—the training college
in the Congo. Too long have our schools in Africa been below standard
for the adequate education and training of national workers. The time
has come when this urgent need must not be put off longer.
The training college is located at the site of our Gitwe Mission
Station, where we have been carrying on work for nearly fifty years.
The Congo Union is the largest union mission in the world, with
65,000 baptized members. To shepherd this large membership and to
win new thousands to Christ, it is imperative that our young people
be given an education that will be comparable to that of the people for
whom they work in this enlightened day in Africa. Won't you do your
best for this new school while there is still opportunity ?
LESSONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, 1961
Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the third quarter of 1961 will be helped by the following outline in studying the
first lesson. The title of the first lesson is "Jesus—God-Man." The memory verse
is John 1:14. The texts to be studied are:
Ques. 1. John 1:1, first part.
Ques. 8. John 1:10, 11.
Ques. 2. John 1:1 (second part), 2.
Ques. 9. John 1:12.
Ques. 3. John 1:3.
Ques. 10. John 1:13.
Ques. 4. John 1:4.
Ques. 11. John 1:14.
Ques. 5. John 1:5.
Ques. 12. John 1:16, 17.
Ques. 6. John 1:6-8.
Ques. 13. John 1:18.
Ques. 7. John 1:9.
49
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